CLEVELAND — Playing on a back-to-back amid a slate of six games in nine days, the Celtics took a precautionary stance to roster attrition, resting two starters in their Sunday matchup with the Cavaliers.
Neemias Queta, who returned Saturday in Minnesota with one of his best games as a Celtic, got Sunday off to manage his sprained left ankle. Queta said he came out of his 29-minute performance healthy but the Celtics are being careful considering they play Tuesday against the Knicks, followed by a back-to-back in Washington on Thursday and home against the Lakers on Friday. They end this stretch with a Dec. 7 game at Toronto.
Reserve Xavier Tillman got a rare start against the Cavaliers. He had played once since Nov. 3 and logged just 67 minutes so far this season.
Derrick White, who played 39 minutes Saturday in the 119-115 loss and didn’t show any signs of injury, was scratched with a right calf contusion. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said the injury is considered day-to-day. For White, who played in at least 73 games in each of his three full seasons in Boston, it was his first missed game of the season.
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Mazzulla said rest could increase for his primary players as the schedule intensifies.
“I think that’s where we talk about playing everybody comes into play and, you know, just relying on the depth of those, especially the young guys,” he said. “So that’s why I think it’s important everyone comes in to the game ready to impact. And so that’s the case [Sunday]. I think it will be over the next week or so, and points in time throughout the season. So trying to make that a strength of ours, just, you know, by the guys that we have available.”
Because they didn’t advance in the NBA Cup, the Celtics will get some needed gaps in their schedule. After the Raptors matchup, Boston will play just twice over an 11-day span with a game at Milwaukee added on Dec. 11 and a home game with the Pistons on Dec. 15.
Following a game in which he scored 41 points but attempted just four free throws, Jaylen Brown said he’s confused as to why he doesn’t receive more free throw opportunities. He entered Sunday eighth in the NBA in scoring (28.8 points per game) but 27th in free throw attempts (6.3 per game). Players such as Stephon Castle (6.5), Keyonte George (6.7), and Jerami Grant (7.1) are going to the line more often than Brown.
Mazzulla agreed with Brown, but the Celtics aren’t going to send any game tape or examples of non-calls on Brown to the league office. The hope is that his continued aggression will draw more fouls.
“I mean, I think definitely he’s right,” Mazzulla said of Brown’s frustration. “I mean he doesn’t speak unless there’s a truth to that. So I stand by him and think he’s right in that. And, at the same time, he’s got to continue to put pressure on the rim, and we have to be able to just put people in position to make those calls.”
Brown has been vocal this season about officiating and is tied for second in the NBA with three technical fouls. (Phoenix’s Dillon Brooks is the lead with six). Brown said he was going to refrain from criticizing officiating.
Despite playing 39 minutes, scoring 41 points, and taking this elbow from Jaden McDaniels, the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown only went to the line four times Saturday. Lily Dozier/Associated Press
The Cavaliers matched the Celtics in injury issues, missing five primary contributors for Sunday’s matchup. Center Jarrett Allen was scratched because of a right finger strain, Larry Nance Jr. sustained a calf strain in Friday’s loss to Atlanta, and sharpshooter Sam Merrill was ruled out with a right hand sprain. Former Celtics Max Strus remains out following foot surgery, while point guard Lonzo Ball rested for knee management.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.
