Luka Garza scored 14 points in 16 minutes Friday, helping the Celtics cruise past the Pelicans 144-118 in a game that gave Boston a useful look at its deeper rotation.
Garza shot 6-for-13 from the field, missed all three of his 3-point attempts and went 2-for-3 at the line. He added six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal, a steady all-around line after he had not appeared in any of Boston’s previous three games.
The performance came as Boston also kept Neemias Queta to 13 minutes, a sign the Celtics were likely trying to preserve him with the playoffs approaching. Garza’s minutes, by contrast, offered a reminder that Boston still has another big body it can turn to if needed.
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That may not last long. Once the postseason begins, Garza may move back out of the rotation, which leaves Friday’s outing as both a productive night and a snapshot of how Boston is managing its frontcourt depth before the games start to matter more.
