Celtics’ bench taking control

NBA. The small-scale panic that first set in over Kevin Garnett’s injury has since been replaced by feelings of optimism.

Though abdominal strains are hardly worth dismissing, the Celtics have taken many positives out of the last two and a half weeks.

The C’s entered last night’s game against the Knicks with a 6-2 record and winners of four straight while Garnett has been out of the lineup, with two of those victories against the defending champion Spurs and Western power Mavericks.

Even more, the reserves have stepped up in a dire situation. Center Kendrick Perkins has missed three games with a strained left shoulder, and backup big man Scot Pollard has missed more than a month with a sore left ankle.

That has left rookie Glen Davis, second-year pro Leon Powe and the seldom-used Brian Scalabrine to fill a heap of minutes at the four- and five-spots. That playing time should greatly benefit the Celtics during the playoffs.

“With the injury plague that’s been going on around here, new guys are stepping up each and every night, and it’s good for us,” Paul Pierce said. “Guys are more than willing for us to step up when they have the chance to do it, and it’s going to be great for us in the long run.”

Powe has averaged 12 points and seven boards per game during that stretch and led the C’s in rebounds four times since Garnett went down. Davis hasn’t enjoyed the statistical success of Powe, but his defense on Tim Duncan was a major factor when the Celtics took down the Spurs at the Garden on Sunday.

“The bench has been what’s getting us these wins, I believe,” Pierce said. “The bench comes in and gets the job done.”

“It gives the bench a sense that you can play,” Davis said. “We already know we can play, but we’ve been going out and doing it.”