Bucks vs. Celtics: Monroe, Carter-Williams to come off bench vs. Boston

Surprise: Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd is switching things up with his starting lineup.

Point guard Michael Carter-Williams and center Greg Monroe will both come off the bench in tonight's game against the Boston Celtics, Kidd announced during his pregame availability. O.J. Mayo will make his return to the floor after missing the last 11 games due to a hamstring injury and will start in Carter-Williams' place. Miles Plumlee will replace Monroe at center.

Meanwhile, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker will remain put with the starters.

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Kidd said pregame he wanted to try something new with the lineup and that the change was not performance-based.

"We're going to try something different," Kidd said. "It's nothing that Michael or Moose (Monroe) have done, we're just going to try something new at the 53 game mark."

Monroe was notified about the decision during practice Tuesday.

"I talked to Moose after practice," Kidd said, "for Moose it's about the team and I think he's all about the team. He understands what we're trying to do."

Besides his rookie season in Detroit, Monroe has started 336 of 348 career games, including all 50 this season.

On the other hand, this is the second time Carter-Williams has been benched this season. After a slow start, Kidd benched Carter-Williams Nov. 29 in Charlotte in favor of Mayo. He liked what he saw during that time and is hoping Mayo can replicate that tonight.

"We've done this before with Michael and O.J.," Kidd said. "We trust O.J. as the point guard, O.J. can get us into the offense.

"O.J. thrived in that situation last time, so we'll see how that goes this time."