Ojeleye in starting lineup for Game 7 vs Bucks

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BOSTON – When Semi Ojeleye was selected in the second round of last year’s NBA draft, the goal was simple – make the Boston Celtics’ 15-man roster.

Fast forward to tonight where the 6-foot-7 Ojeleye finds himself in the starting lineup for the third straight game as Boston gets ready for a Game 7 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Ojeleye, a starter since Game 4 of this series, acknowledges how surreal it has been for him as a rookie who has gone from fighting to earn a roster spot, to now being in the starting lineup for the most important game of the season. 

“I think we all know what’s on the line, what’s at stake,” Ojeleye told NBC Sports Boston. “I think it’s one of those games you want to be in. We know we have to come out here and give our best effort.”

The decision to start Ojeleye is directly tied to his ability to defend Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

In Boston’s Game 6 loss, Ojeleye defended Antetokounmpo 26 possessions – more than any other Celtic. 

During that time, Antetokounmpo scored six points on 3-for-7 shooting.

And while Ojeleye hasn’t looked to score a ton, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens knows Ojeleye has to take shots if the Milwaukee defense plans to leave him open. 

In six games, Ojeleye is averaging 1.7 points per game, shooting just 3-for-13 (23.1 percent) from the field, and 2-for-9 (22.2 percent) from 3-point range. 

“He’s going to have to take and make open shots,” Stevens said. “But he plays really hard and if you look at any of the numbers or just watch, it’s clear he’s our best guy guarding Giannis. It doesn’t mean that at the end of the day, that you can still keep him from getting every shot. As far as getting to the basket, keeping a guy in front, making him take as tough as possible (shots), he’s done a good job of that.”

And he’s doing it now as a starter, something Ojeleye would not have ever imagined happening nine months ago when Boston picked him with the 37th overall selection. 

“That’s something only God can put together for you,” Ojeleye said. “I’m blessed to be here.”

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