Theis, of course, shouldn't be playing. But the answer is easier than playing Nesmith, who also shouldn't be playing.Am I alone for not wanting to see Theis again in this series? I think he's been quite bad even in his 6-10 minute role and would much rather see Nesmith out there in small lineups. While Nesmith certainly isn't going to win you a game, he showed the ability to be active and make plays defensively earlier in the playoffs. Most importantly, nobody will try to throw him the ball under the basket on the other end of the court.
In game 1, Theis played 6 minutes. Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard only played 16 each. In game 2, Theis played 8 minutes by the end of the third quarter. Just change the sub patterns a bit, and those minutes can go to Grant/Pritchard.
As long as Rob is healthy enough to give them 20ish minutes, there is no reason to play anyone outside of their top 8 guys until garbage time.
Before this series started, the Celtics had played 8 playoff games in which Rob and Horford were both available. In those 8 games, Theis played a total of 2 non garbage time minutes. That was 2 minutes in game 3 against Milwaukee when Grant got into foul trouble. Other than that, 3 garbage time appearances and 4 DNPs.
Now, in a series I'd say fits his skillset the least, he's back getting minutes.
It's very weird.
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