On the day head coach Ime Udoka addressed Enes Kanter’s comments about his playing time (or lack there of) as “strictly based on basketball,” the Celtics needed him that night in Cleveland. Robert Williams didn’t return after injuring his knee in the first half and with game close late in the third quarter, Kanter was called into action.
In eight minutes, Kanter wreaked havoc on the Cavaliers with his special brand of bully ball. Both his buckets came off offensive rebounds (one of his own and another from Jayson Tatum) and three of his bone-crushing screens resulted in seven points, helping the Celtics earn a split in the series.