The NBA runs on star power and friendly competition these days, but Dillon Brooks still operates from a different playbook. The Phoenix Suns defender built his reputation on what he calls the “dark arts” – a mix of physical defense and mental warfare designed to throw opponents off balance.

Brooks brought that energy into the spotlight again after the Suns locked up the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix dropped a game to Portland before bouncing back with a win over the Golden State Warriors.

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Dillon Brooks takes aim at OKC

That victory set up a first-round playoff clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and known for playing with an edge.

After the Suns rolled past the Warriors 111-96, Brooks sat down for an interview on “NBA on Prime” and didn’t hold back when the topic turned to OKC.

“There are a lot of foul baiters on that team,” Brooks said. “We gotta show our hands. I hope it’s the real playoffs. We can’t be calling too many calls but… Show your hand, we gotta follow the scout, follow them in the paint, and be able to have our rotations proper.”

Dirk Nowitzki, Blake Griffin, and Steve Nash laughed at the comment, but nobody challenged him on it.

Brooks made it clear Phoenix planned to match Oklahoma City’s intensity and wouldn’t get caught up in the whistle game. The Suns rank among the league’s top defensive units, so this confidence is earned.

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Brooks wasn’t just talking in general terms either. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 9.0 free throw attempts per game during the regular season, and the Thunder offense leaned heavily on drawing contact.

Brooks frustrates opponents because his defense goes beyond physicality. He crowds players constantly, takes away space, and stays attached to his assignment like glue. The pressure builds over time rather than in single moments.

Players lose their cool dealing with him because the contact never stops and the room to operate shrinks possession after possession. That style wears down even the most disciplined scorers, and Gilgeous-Alexander appears to be Brooks’ next target in a long line of stars who’ve dealt with his relentless approach.

An argument over whether to play Luka Garza or Nikola Vucevic would have been unheard of at the start of this season.

That is now the question: who will be the backup center for the Celtics’ playoff run?

Vucevic’s Stint in the 617

Let’s start with what Vucevic has accomplished in his short time in Boston.

Vucevic was acquired from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline in February and has played only 16 games after missing a month due to a fractured finger. In that short span, the veteran has posted his lowest stats since his rookie season, averaging 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game.

Vucevic is also shooting a career-low 43.9% from the field.

The story of the big man’s career has been that he was a dominant offensive player but a weak defender. His stint with Boston has been different.

Vucevic has a 1.0 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, his highest mark since his All-Star season in 2018-19. On the flip side, the European has the lowest Offensive Box Plus/Minus of his career, outside his rookie season, at minus-0.8.

Garza’s Career Season

Now, let’s look at what Garza has accomplished this season.

The Washington, D.C., native is averaging a career high across nearly every category.

He has averaged 8.1 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 57.7% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc. Like Vucevic, Garza has been considered a defensive liability.

In his first four seasons with the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, Garza posted a Defensive Box Plus/Minus below -1.9 each season. In Boston, the center has raised that number to 0.2.

Over the past month, Garza has found his stride, highlighted by three 20-point games. The former National College Player of the Year scored a career-high 27 points in the Celtics’ regular-season finale against the Orlando Magic.

Mazzulla Leans Vucevic

The Celtics have shown they trust Vucevic as the backup center, as he has played more minutes than Garza in their 16 games.

The last time Boston faced the Philadelphia 76ers, on March 1, Vucevic played 20 minutes and recorded an 11-point double-double, while Garza did not play. The Celtics have also opted not to play Garza in three-fourths of their matchups against the New York Knicks, the team’s likely second-round opponent.

Vucevic will likely open the playoffs in the backup center role, but he could have a short leash if his offensive struggles persist, while Garza has averaged 15 points in his last five games.

The post Who Will Be the Celtics’ Backup Center in the Playoffs? appeared first on The Lead.