Actually, the two have played together quite often in the regular season, already surpassing Sabonis.
But when it comes to the playoffs, veterans like Sabonis are more effective.
Big Ben's physical stats are still lacking, and his offensive deficit is severe, making him easy to target.
However, at this stage, the Celtics want to expand their lead, try to play quickly to tear open the Trail Blazers' wounds, and a dynamic, versatile defender like Big Ben has a role to play.
After Big Ben took to the court, he immediately began exerting significant influence on the defensive end. When he returned to the backcourt for defense each time, he'd actively press and delay the ball handler, creating trouble for the Celtics.
Also, inside the paint, he was very focused on blocking breakthrough lanes, often positioning himself in potential routes in advance so Celtics' players would have to reconsider before breaking through.
