Which bench player will make an unexpected playoff contribution?

[LooseCannon]

Over at ESPN Boston, Peter May gave a list of reasons to be excited about the Celtics.  #10 on that list:

The E'Twaun Moore Moment?

Before the game against Miami last Tuesday, Rivers was talking about the possibility of getting help from an unlikely source in the playoffs. Hey, it's happened before. Remember Nate Robinson in the great "Shrek and Donkey" game in the 2010 Finals? Or Eddie House in Game 4 of the 2008 Finals? We could even throw Leon Powe in Game 2 of the NBA Finals in 2008, when Phil Jackson famously (or deliberately) mispronounced his name. The list of candidates for such a game in the 2012 playoffs might include Marquis Daniels, Dooling or Sasha Pavlovic but Rivers specifically mentioned Moore in his chat before the Miami game. "E'Twaun, who no one talks about, he's going to play in the playoffs somewhere and help us in a game," Rivers said. We had an ever-so-brief glimpse of what Moore is capable of doing when he had 16 points in 18 minutes in helping the Celtics rally from a 27-point deficit in Orlando to beat the Magic on Jan. 26. At that point in the season, he looked eminently more capable than Bradley. He hasn't played much since, but unless he's on the inactive list, there's always the chance he might do something.

The Celtics main rotation seems to be locked down at Garnett, Pierce, Rondo, Bradley, Bass, Allen, Stiemsma, Pietrus, plus maybe Dooling if Ray Allen can't play.

That leaves Ryan Hollins, Sean Williams, Sasha Pavlovic, Marquis Daniels, E'Twaun Moore, and JaJuan Johnson as guys not expected to play much.  I can see Hollins getting some playing time because Stiemsma fouls out.  I can see Pavlovic, Daniels, or Moore getting some minutes because Ray Allen sits out. 

I see Moore being inactive for most games, but I could see him being the 12th man if Ray Allen sits and Doc deciding to stick him in early in the fourth quarter on a hunch, leading to a couple of dagger threes that protect the lead against a rallying opponent.  I could see Ryan Hollins pressed into an extended role because the refs hates Stiemsma and matching or surpassing his career playoff highs of 8 points and 8 rebounds (achieved, in separate games, with Dallas in 2009).

I'm thinking the Celtics have a hard time getting past the second round without a player unexpectedly stepping up and tipping the balance in at least one game.  Anyone feeling optimistic about a guy on the bench who, after a few DNPs will get some surprise minutes and contribute to a win? 

[CelticG1]

I think it's Sasha.

I just don't know if Moore will literally touch the floor

[KGs Knee]

Has to be Sasha.  The man has played in the NBA Finals, and had a decent role on that Cavs team.

[17wasEZ]

I'll go with Ray Allen.  He'll probably contribute a few baskets in a couple of games.

[celtic -_- pride]

depends if pietrus is healthy, if he's not 100 expect sasha to play more. the risk with both of them is that they jack 3's and brick a lot of them.

[ianboyextreme]

It wouldnt be a suprise to me if Sasha or Keyon had a big game, but I think Etwaun and Marquis could both have a bog game. Marquis 
has gained his confidence these last few reg season games and etwaun is gonna be one of those guys who hits huge shots throughout his career.

[letsgoblue86]

I think E'twuan could have a game reminiscent of the one against Orlando.

[Celtics18]

I like Ryan Hollins to have some nice moments in the Hawks series, and Sasha, too.

[slamtheking]

I'm not expecting anything from the fringe element off the bench so I guess if anyone contributes it's unexpected.

Of any of the fringe element that might have a noticeable game it would probably be something where they shut down an important player on the other team.  Sasha, Daniels or possibly even Williams could produce that kind of game once or twice in the playoffs.  Possibly against Atlanta but I'd think it'd stand out more against Miami where one of their 'inferior 3' gets shut down

[Eja117]

Steamer ...except it's totally expected....does Bass count as bench? Plus that's even more expected

[LeoMoreno]

E'Twaun, JJJ, SW and Hollins are the only ones possible to have unexpected contributions. What do we know about the rest?
Dooling is a brilliant player who can drain it from the down town shot after shot.
Pietrus is an incredible defender, incredible shooter and occasionally surprizes opponents with creating his own shot off the dribble.
Pavlovic and Stiemsma both lacked self confidence and never took open jumpers. It seems as for the first time Doc fully believes both of them, they both look as part of the team, both fit in the system, started taking a lot of jumpers and are hitting them. And both are great defenders, obviously.

Most fans don't expect much from these guys, so they can't really do anything unexpected even if they exceed the expecations... Aaand our first team will play 40 minutes a game, so... nobody.

[Chris]

Dooling.  His versatility defensively and experience will be important in the playoffs, and I think he will get hot offensively for at least one game.

[RajonRondo9Dime]

"Nate Robinson will win a playoff game for us."

I'll trust Doc. Somebody will come up big for us. Just don't know who.

[Redz]

Dooling.  His versatility defensively and experience will be important in the playoffs, and I think he will get hot offensively for at least one game.

Yup. My thoughts too.  He seemed to really be settling into his role at the end of the season.

[CelticG1]

Where is dooling going to find minutes? Even if Ray is out you gotta think that Bradely Rondo will be getting huge minutes with Pietrus filling in when Bradley isn't in the game or when Bradley is playing the 1 (while Rondo rests)