New Boston Celtics reserve forward Oshae Brissett wasn’t supposed to stay on the bench vs. the New York Knicks in the Celtics’ season opener on Wednesday, and the grit and hustle the former Pacers swingman displayed in his limited run with Boston against the Miami Heat made it clear he should be seeing floor time moving forward if his motor keeps running this high. “He was supposed to go in to start the second (vs. the Knicks) said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla after Boston’s 119-110 win over the Heat Friday.

“He didn’t play in Game 1, and he changed the game (against Miami),” added Mazzulla. “That, to me, is what momentum is all about. He came in, he made a significant impact, and he did his job at a high level.”

“We have to get to a point where what he did is just as important as what the other guys have done tonight, and he helped us win,” related the Celtics coach, hinting that Brissett’s stat line (2 points and 5 rebounds in 14 minutes) did not do his play justice.

“I thought Oshea’s timely offensive rebounds in the first half were tremendous,” added Mazzulla, noting the importance of securing such boards for Boston this season.

“We got some timely physical rebounds, and so it’s important that we fight to do that as many possessions as we can.”

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire