In five games since his return to the rotation, he is 16-for-28 shooting with 32 rebounds (22 offensive) and 4 for 8 from the 3-point line. This is the Garza the Celtics were banking on when he signed a two-year deal in the offseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust playing hard,\u201d he said of his resurgence. \u201cIt\u2019s simple, but I think it\u2019s something that separates me from other guys, and on the floor that\u2019s what helps me survive out there. Just a level of effort that I bring.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Mazzulla said Garza has done the little things to earn more opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been really consistent when he\u2019s been on the floor,\u201d Mazzulla said. \u201cI think the thing that stands out is his offensive rebounding. His screening in the second unit opens up our shot quality and we\u2019ve changed pick-and-roll coverages a little bit. That has allowed us to have some turnover opportunities. From an execution standpoint, he\u2019s playing well for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
A former college All-American, Garza didn\u2019t get much playing time in his previous stops with the Pistons and Timberwolves. The Celtics offered him a shot to play backup center minutes and he started well before tailing off and losing his role.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time you go back to that not playing, it just kind of reminds you you want to be out there even more so,\u201d he said. \u201cEspecially me, when I was out of the rotation and just knowing I could help this team and knowing I could be out there and help and not getting a chance to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
In this week\u2019s first fan All-Star vote release, Jaylen Brown was a surprising sixth amongst Eastern Conference players despite helping the Celtics to the third slot in the East with a career-best season. Brown expressed disappointment with the voting, but his teammates advised him to focus on the source.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel it\u2019s something he shouldn\u2019t even worry about,\u201d guard Payton Pritchard said. \u201cWho cares what the fans think? He\u2019s going to be an All-Star. He\u2019s going to be a top player in the league. Why care what the fans think? It\u2019s what your peers think, what other players around the league think, coaches, how they game plan for you. That should be how he evaluates everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown is averaging career highs in scoring, assists, field-goal percentage, and free-throw percentage.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s producing, so I wouldn\u2019t even worry about it,\u201d Pritchard said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Pritchard bounced back in the win at Utah<\/a> after a subpar game in his native Portland. He has reiterated this season his desire to be more aggressive with the ball, getting into the paint, and creating opportunities for himself and teammates. He has said when he\u2019s not aggressive, he\u2019s not as effective.<\/p>\n \u201cMore attacking the paint. It\u2019s not actually shots, pushing the pace, attacking the paint. When I\u2019m doing that it creates offense for others,\u201d he said. \u201cIt creates offense for myself and I\u2019m efficient in the paint. When I\u2019m hitting those, it makes the defense collapse and it\u2019s getting Sam [Hauser] kickouts, it\u2019s getting others kickouts. It makes the game better.\u201d<\/p>\n The Celtics welcomed back backup forward Chris Boucher after he missed three games because of personal reasons. His presence made for a fully available Boston roster. The Kings were missing two starters, Domantas Sabonis (knee) and Zach LaVine (ankle). Sacramento finished a miserable December where it was outscored by 12 points per game and finished 3-9.<\/p>\n Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com<\/a>. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe<\/a>.<\/p>\n