BROOKLYN, N.Y.The last time Jared Sullinger was in Brooklyn, he played just eight minutes.
And the reason for his lack of playing time was clear.
In the eyes of head coach Doc Rivers, he wasn't playing well enough to help the team.
On Tuesday, Rivers couldn't keep him on the floor long enough as Sullinger played a critical role with Boston's second unit in helping the C's defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 93-76.
His 16 points scored tied his career high, although his first 16-point game came in a 20-point loss at Detroit on Nov. 18.
Making Sullinger's performance offensively even more impressive was that it came without a single play being called for him.
"He just knows where to go," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers.
The Nets went with a small lineup that had Gerald Wallace who usually starts at small forward, beginning the game defending Kevin Garnett at power forward.
Because of the size difference, the Nets did a lot of switching and double-teaming.
That created lanes of opportunity that Sullinger was more than capable of filling quickly.
"Jared, he's probably been trapped his whole life," Rivers said. "I know in high school he was because I watched him. I just think he understands where to go in traps."
One of the biggest influences on Sullinger since he was drafted by the Celtics in the first round of last June's NBA draft, has been Kevin Garnett.
Garnett has seen his share of talented big men come into this league. It's too soon to say where Sullinger fits into the pantheon of bigs that Garnett has played with, but one thing is clear: Garnett really likes this rookie and how he blends in with the C's.
"It's all about repetition," Garnett said. "He (Sullinger) fits perfectly with us."
And while many will point to what he did offensively as a sign of his strong play, Sullinger's seven rebounds were arguably even more important.
His ability to more than hold his own on the boards was instrumental in the Celtics coming away with a 41-36 advantage on the boards.
"The Celtics are not a great rebounding team and we got out-rebounded," said Nets coach Avery Johnson. "It was just a rough day for us."
And a really good one for Sullinger who helped deliver to the C's on Christmas just what they were looking for - a win.
"I just came out and played hard," Sullinger said. "I wasn't worried about stats. I was just playing hard."