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DraftKings Post-Ups: Crowder Making His Name Around NBA

Tuesday, February 9 - Celtics vs. Bucks

Pregame - Crowder Making His Name Around NBA

MILWAUKEE – Jae Crowder played his college games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center during his time at Marquette, so he’s a known commodity in these parts. But his newly found NBA success this season is starting to open eyes around the rest of the league.

Most notably, Crowder’s getting an opportunity with the Celtics that he never got with the Dallas Mavericks. Crowder averaged 17 minutes per game in his first season in Dallas, but in his final 25 games with the Mavs, he was playing just more than 10 minutes a night.

Given the opportunity to play significant minutes in Boston after being acquired last season, Crowder has proven he can produce.

“I think that’s where the career highs start. This is the most opportunity he’s ever gotten. He’s added to our team,” Brad Stevens said when asked about him by the Milwaukee media. “Everybody around the league values versatility. He guards 2 through 4 on a given night.”

Crowder’s defensive abilities, as well as his size, strength and toughness, were known commodities when he came to Boston. They have allowed the Celtics to assign him defensive duties against guys like Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. But Stevens admitted that the team didn’t quite expect him to have the success he’s had on the offensive end.

“For any of us to say that we would have thought he’s going to be averaging what he’s averaging, be as focal a part for what we’re trying to do, I don’t know if any of us thought it would have happened that quickly,” said Stevens. “He got better and better as his opportunities increased last year, and kind of took off from there.”

Crowder, who’s been battling an assortment of minor injuries during recent weeks, is currently playing through a high right ankle sprain. Crowder told reporters at Tuesday’s morning’s shootaround that he’s still sore, but also that he expects to play the final two games before the All-Star break.

“It’s mind over matter. I just try to suck it up and get ready to do my job,” Crowder said this morning. “If I feel like I can play through it, I’m going to get ready and play through it and do my job.”

As for the upcoming break, and the opportunity to rest the ankle, Crowder is definitely looking forward to it.

“I need it. I can’t wait. But we’re going to finish these two games out strong,” Crowder said of the Celtics next two games against the Bucks here tonight, and Wednesday at home against the Clippers.

- Peter Stringer