Davis playing too many minutes for Rivers' liking

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By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com

BOSTONGlen Davis once again took more shots from the field than any other Boston Celtic in Monday night's 108-102 loss to Houston.

Shooting wasn't the problem. Davis had 12 points as he hit 6-for-14 from the floor.

His defense was another story.

Houston's Luis Scola only had 12 points, but all but two of those points came in the third quarter in which the Rockets increased their one-point lead at the half, to six.

Most of Scola's points came with Davis defending him.

Davis' struggles defensively mirrored and entire Celtics team that turned in what coach Doc Rivers described as one of the worst defensive efforts he has seen in the last three or four seasons.

As for Davis, Rivers believes Davis' problems is quite simple: He's playing too many minutes.

On Monday, Davis played just more than any other Celtics player (including Rajon Rondo) with just under 38 minutes of action.

"He's getting too many minutes, honestly," said Rivers, who was quick to blame himself. "Thirty-eight minutes is too many for Baby. That's too many minutes and that's on me. Baby shouldn't play more than in the thirty-range, because I think the fatigue is bothering him."

But when Rivers looks down at his injury-riddled bench, it's not like he's got a ton of options to choose from as a substitution for Davis.

Luke Harangody had a double-double on Friday against Toronto, but you have to put his 17-point, 11-rebound performance in perspective.

It was against the Toronto Raptors.

"Luke's playing OK," Rivers said. "But we may have to go small."

A small lineup likely means more action for Marquis Daniels, who had 19 points off the Celtics bench against the Rockets.

Daniels has been one of the few players for the C's off the bench who seems to actually play better when given quality minutes.

Because of Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Daniels' minutes aren't likely to get too outrageous.

In an earlier interview with CSNNE.com, Daniels talked about his ever-changing role with the Celtics this season.

"Doc knows I'm up for whatever he needs me to do, whatever position he wants me to play," Daniels said. "With this team, it's all about finding ways to win. I'll do whatever Doc needs me to do, to make that happen."

A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at sblakely@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http:twitter.comsherrodbcsn

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