BENCH MAKES ITS MARK WITH WEDMAN, RAY WILLIAMS

March 18, 1985

BENCH MAKES ITS MARK WITH WEDMAN, RAY WILLIAMS

After scoring 48 points, the fifth highest total in Celtics regular-season history, Larry Bird said, "Ray Williams had a great game - probably the best of anybody."

Williams had 11 points (on 5-of-9 shooting) with 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals in 26 minutes of yesterday's 134-120 victory over the Rockets. Meanwhile, Scott Wedman chipped in with 13 points on 6 of 10 from the floor, and Quinn Buckner had 7 assists in 16 minutes.

Bird: "Everybody in the press said we didn't have a bench, but now I think we're a pretty good team up and down the line."

It's ironic that the Celtics would start to show their depth while Cedric Maxwell is sidelined with a knee injury, but Wedman has played five straight strong games, averaging 15.6 points on 59 percent (37-of-63) shooting, and Buckner has settled into a comfortable role as a fourth guard/defensive specialist. Williams keeps getting better and is a Garden crowd favorite.

"My wind felt really good today," Williams said after his longest stint in 10 games with the Celtics. "Everything is just gradually getting better. My teammates know I'm going to push it up and try to pressure the guards. And they know that if they run and get open, I'll get them the ball."