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Sullinger, Olynyk Ready for D12's Challenge

Marc D'Amico
Team Reporter and Analyst

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WALTHAM, Mass. – Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk have spent a lot of time on the perimeter during the preseason and on Opening Night. Saturday will be a different story, but that’s just fine with them.

Sullinger and Olynyk are on the verge of facing off against one of the league’s few true centers, Dwight Howard. Howard has averaged at least 17.1 points per game and shot at least 57.2 percent from the field in every season since 2006. He has also averaged 12.9 rebounds per game during his 11-year career.

Boston’s big men know what’s coming, and they know that it’s different than anything they’ve seen to this point in the season.

“Not a lot of other centers get the ball like Dwight does,” Sullinger said on Thursday. “Dwight is one guy that is a post-up player and you hardly ever see that in the NBA now.”

There’s no questioning that statement. Houston pounds the ball inside to Howard to the tune of a 30.3 usage percentage through two games. In other words, Kevin McHale’s offense is running through Howard the way Oklahoma City’s runs through Kevin Durant, the way Miami’s ran through LeBron James, and the way New York’s runs through Carmelo Anthony. Howard is going to touch the ball. A lot.

Houston’s style of play is going to demand that Sullinger and Olynyk spend much of their time defending the 6-foot-11, 265-pound center around the painted area. It sounds as if Boston’s big men are eager to take on the challenge.

“I don’t know if it’s excitement. It’s more like proud,” Sullinger said of his feelings heading into the matchup. “You’re proud to be able to show off your accomplishments and all the hard work you put in and how hard you worked in the offseason.”

Sullinger was alluding to the effort he and Olynyk put in this summer to improve their defense. They have drawn rave reviews from their coaching staff for how far they’ve come at that end of the court, a trend that continued on Thursday.

“They’re becoming good team defenders, and I think that that’s first and foremost,” said Brad Stevens. “And then they’re both competitive and smart guys. If they have a disadvantage, they can usually figure that out and try to manage it.”

There’s no doubt that they’ll be at a disadvantage on Saturday. However, Sullinger has already put together a plan to manage the matchup.

“Just try to limit his touches as much as possible,” Sullinger said. “Just try to make his touches difficult. Try to push him out as much as possible. No easy layups. No easy lobs. It’s easier said than done.”

But it can be done, as Sullinger has learned during his NBA career. He knows what it takes to knock guys like Howard off of their sweet spots.

“The lower man wins, especially in situations where you’re smaller,” Sullinger explained. “You’ve got to be lower. You’ve got to be lower and powerful. The lower I get, the more help it gives me against guys like Dwight.”

We’ll soon find out whether or not that plan is enough to contain Houston’s eight-time All-Star. The Celtics are confident that Sullinger and Olynyk will be able to make it happen.

As Jeff Green put it, “It’s a good task for them, and I’m pretty sure they’ll do well.”