BOSTON — Three days ago, Amari Williams was playing big minutes for the Maine Celtics. On Wednesday night, he played a crucial role in helping the Boston Celtics end the Pistons’ 13-game winning streak at TD Garden. The rookie center successfully boxed out Jalen Duren on a potential game-tying free throw by Cade Cunningham with four seconds remaining, allowing Payton Pritchard to corral the rebound and secure a 117-114 victory.

It was one of several key plays for the big man, who matched up with Jalen Duren for the first 15 meaningful minutes of his Celtics career coming off the bench. Williams’ modest box score line (one point, three rebounds, two blocks) doesn’t tell the full story of his impact as Boston played without their starting center, Neemias Queta, due to an ankle injury.

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