Doc: Terry ‘did a lot of good things for us defensively'

BOSTONJason Terry saw his first extended action for the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
And the reason was because of his defense.
Yeah. Seriously.
"Let me be the first ... that that's ever been said about Jason Terry," quipped C's coach Doc Rivers. "But he was terrific. He did a lot of good things for us defensively."
But a big game from Jason Terry wouldn't be complete without some big shots, which Terry was able to deliver in Boston's 100-94 overtime win.
Terry, who came in averaging just 8.7 points per game, had a season-high 16 points off the C's bench on 7-for-15 shooting.
That alone would have been noteworthy. But when you throw in Terry's contributions defensively, it added up to the kind of performance that both Terry and the C's desperately needed.
"On this team, that's what it's about," Terry said. "That's what we hang our hats on; is on the defensive end of the court."
"When he does that, with his shot, you keep him on the floor," added Rivers. "He gives you a shooter's chance all night. It was really good to see him ... he's getting it offensively."
And the C's needed every one of his points, which came on an array of jumpers and floaters in the lane.
Through the first three games, nobody seemed to take the bench struggles harder than Terry, who is the unofficial leader of the C's second unit.
The former Sixth Man of the Year award winner was due -- more than due -- to have a night like he did on Wednesday.
"He comes in, he's asked to be a good scorer," said Boston's Paul Pierce. "We look to go to him. He's going to guard guys often times bigger than him. We ask him to pressure the ball. He can do both.  He's our sixth man leader off the bench, and he showed it tonight."
One of the challenges Terry has had in Boston is finding his way on to the floor long enough to make a major impact.
For Terry, who came in averaging 22.3 minutes per game, being on the floor for more than 30 on Wednesday was a huge factor in his breakout performance.
That allowed him to get a significantly higher number of shots than he had in the Celtics first three games.
After averaging seven shots per game coming into Wednesday's game, he had 15 against the Wizards.
Just for perspective, Terry has averaged at least 12 shots taken per game in 11 of his previous 13 NBA seasons.
And while his minutes were increased Wednesday because of his defense, there's no confusion as to what the C's expect from him when he steps on the floor.
"For me it's about making shots," said Terry, who played a season-high 32 minutes. "If this were golf, I definitely felt I left a couple of birdies out there from deep tonight. But it'll come."