Celtics’ Frontcourt Depth On Display As Kelly Olynyk, Big Men Step Up

BOSTON — Head coach Brad Stevens indicated this weekend he might shake up the Celtics’ lineup, and his hand was forced Monday night with Jared Sullinger and Amir Johnson sidelined due to injury.

Fortunately, Boston’s new-look frontcourt helped Stevens and the C’s cash in.

The starting forward duo of Kelly Olynyk and David Lee made the most of their opportunities, while reserves Tyler Zeller and Jonas Jerebko also delivered when called upon in an encouraging 113-99 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at TD Garden.

Olynyk led the charge in a night dominated by an opposing forward — Kevin Garnett — who didn’t even see the floor. The 24-year-old Canada native dropped a team-high 19 points on an efficient 7 of 10 shooting and stretched Minnesota’s defense by knocking down all three of his 3-pointers.

“Well, he can space the floor, so that assures you that he’s going to be at least defended out there, which opens up drives and opens up lanes for other people,” Stevens said of Olynyk. “I thought he did a good job. We’ve talked about our probably greatest area of depth is the four and five, and we needed it (Monday night) with Jared and Amir out.”

The Celtics have plenty of bodies up front — rookie Jordan Mickey didn’t play until the final minute — but have been plagued by inconsistent frontcourt play at times. That changed Monday, however.

Jerebko, who has had a brutal shooting season to date, went 3 for 3 from distance to finish with 12 points. Lee missed his first four shots but made five of his next seven to tally 13 points while grabbing eight rebounds. Zeller chipped in 14 points in just 17 minutes before fouling out and now is 12 for 17 from the field in the last two games he’s seen the floor.

Frontcourt minutes have been unpredictable this season outside Sullinger and Johnson, but the Celtics’ big men — especially Zeller — were ready when called upon Monday. Stevens had very high praise for Zeller’s ability to stay the course despite his sporadic playing time.

“I can’t imagine anybody handling it better,” Stevens said. “Certainly it’s tough, and he’s disappointed when he doesn’t play, but he doesn’t show it. He’s been a complete and total professional.

“We already know that he’s a really good player, but I can speak for myself and all of his teammates and our whole organization where I’d say we’re all even more endeared to him because of how he’s handled everything.”

Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images