The Boston Celtics lost a very winnable Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Philadelphia 76ers at home on Monday night, 119-115, with a majority of the reason being a lack of defensive effort.

When I think of the defensive identity of this team, a few names come to mind. Obviously Marcus Smart, Rob Williams, Derrick White and Grant Williams. That’s right. Whether you like it or not, Grant is one of the best defenders on the Celtics.

That said, Grant only logged four minutes off the bench in Game 1 and made his impact felt in the short run that he saw. In just four minutes, Grant showed that the Celtics can operate a smooth switching style of defense.

Grant switched onto James Harden multiple times in his short-lived game, as well as battling with PJ Tucker on the ground for a loose ball, not allowing the 76ers to gain another possession. But at the same time, it also showed the 76ers that they can’t just walk all over the Celtics in this game.

The energy and effort Grant provided in four minutes goes on to prove that he should be playing more minutes that he is. Here is what I don’t understand. Why isn’t Grant playing more in these playoff series?

Sam Hauser has played vastly more than Grant Williams in the playoffs. If his best asset is to shoot the deep ball and create space, I’d argue that Grant is the better option to plug into the game, as he can offer more on the other end of the court, which is where the Celtics are struggling heavily.

Boston produced 115-points in Game 1 and still lost. I’d again argue that Hauser isn’t needed too much if the Celtics are scoring 115-points but also giving up 119 on the other end.

Grant is an elite defender and should be playing more in the playoffs as the team’s eighth man off the bench behind Malcolm Brogdon and Rob Williams.

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