I think we should go even smaller the next time we face the Rockets. Theis struggles against strong and bulky types like PJ Tucker, he got pushed around a bit tonight. Our centre rotation should be Theis/Grant/Semi depending on how we're matching up against them, if Tucker is killing it on the glass we should trot out Grant/Semi (as well as introduce the concept of face guarding in box outs to our wings and guards) to combat their physicality on the boards while not sacrificing our perimeter defence.
Agreed - I said it after the last game, Theis is dead weight against a lineup like Houston's.
Theis is not dynamic enough offensively to be useful against perimeter types (lack of outside shot-making or passing ability or post scoring) + his defense is negated by having to spend so much time on the perimeter and frankly a natural perimeter player would do it better than he does anyway.
Theis is a limited big man and this against this Rockets' small ball lineup he has no functionality.
It is a similar issue with all of C's center rotation. They have their 3 center rotation. All limited players who are only useful in certain situations. Unfortunately, none of those situations are present against a lineup like Houston's. The matchups are not there.
So the Celtics have to adapt. They do not have the talent at center to force the opponent to matchup to them. So they have to matchup to their opponent. That means cutting back playing time for the C's centers and going smaller.
This is a game for a combo forward like Semi. Or athletic wings like Langford. Or you could even go smaller again in the backcourt with Carsen Edwards (who Stevens seems to have given up on for rest of this season). These are the best options. Not Theis or Kanter or Rob Williams.