Uninclined to push their luck, the Boston Celtics sent their heavy lifters down the sideline to check into the game at the next possible opportunity. Time was dwindling, the score was tightening and the Celtics' marvelous crew of reserves -- specifically, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, Nate Robinson, Tony Allen and Rasheed Wallace -- had given their side all that anyone in green had a right to expect.

There was a little matter of protocol, too. Coming back late in games -- not just any game, but Game 4 of the 2010 Finals, Thursday at TD Garden -- is what starters do. Marquee guys get mega-millions money mostly for fourth quarters and postseasons. This was both. It was time.

Only it wasn't. Doc Rivers, the Celtics coach, was moving down the sideline as his team set up at the far end. At that instant, Robinson zig-zagged into the lane and put up a runner from nine feet. It dropped, the arena quaked, Rivers spun on his heels back toward the bench. And so did Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, pumping their fists and -- at 83-74, 4:22 to go -- celebrating exactly like the folks way upstairs.

Watching the players who usually sit was fun, even for those who typically play. Both the lead, and the Boston bench's proverbial 15 minutes of fame, were extended, the latter to a literal 9:09.

That's how long they stuck around in the fourth quarter, taking the Celtics from what had been a 62-60 deficit to an 85-79 lead before Pierce, Garnett and Rajon Rondo checked back in. "Subbed" back in is a better way to put it, because roles most definitely had been reversed as the Celtics evened the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

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