Of their first recreation again at TD Backyard since profitable Recreation 5 of the Finals and clinching Banner 18, the Celtics crushed the 76ers 139-89 in a 50-point blowout.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla began a well-recognized opening 5 — Jrue Vacation, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Luke Kornet all began in each video games in opposition to the Nuggets in Abu Dhabi. For the visiting 76ers on the second evening of a back-to-back, Nick Nurse went with Ricky Council IV, KJ Martin, Jared McCain, Jeff Dowtin Jr, and in a nice October shock, former Celtic and fan favourite Guerschon Yabusele.
In opposition to Denver, the Celtics put up a whopping 108 three-pointers down within the UAE. That shouldn’t shock followers. They lead the league in makes an attempt final yr and had been second in 3FG%.
“The aim is rarely to only shoot them. The aim is to seek out the most effective shot,” Mazzulla mentioned in his pre-game presser.
“Within the two Denver video games, the massive was up they usually had been serving to from the weak facet nook and we made the go go to the nook three. We’re by no means going to go these up. They had been engaged on their system, we had been engaged on our system, and people had been the pictures that we’re out there due to the execution.”
Tonight was one other spectacular displaying for Mazzulla Ball. They caught fireplace within the first half, hitting 10 of 23 from behind the arc and contributing to 71 factors after two quarters. They completed the sport making practically half of their 47 makes an attempt (48.9%) and 38 assists on 53 made subject targets.
With the workforce slow-playing Al Horford’s preseason, it positive appears like Kornet could possibly be their beginning middle heading into the October twenty second opener in opposition to the Knicks. He’s proven a capability to create from above the break as a succesful screener and passer and his 7’1 body makes him a giant lob risk and cutter. Kornet completed with 15 factors (11 within the first quarter), 8 rebounds (5 offensive), and two assists.
“I received quite a lot of dunks. That was enjoyable,” Kornet instructed NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin at halftime.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum seem like they’re in mid-season type, too. Albeit in exhibition, they appear to be enjoying with a freer spirit and magnificence on either side of the ball. On protection, they fly round like free safeties on the perimeter and bodying smaller gamers like defensive ends. Offensively, they’re attacking extra and spraying it round to shooters.
Brown completed with 18 factors (7-of-12 from the sector) and 4 assists. Tatum practically had a triple double with 16 factors, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists.
The blowout wasn’t simply Boston’s regulars beating up on Philly’s third string. Rotation standouts sans Horford confirmed out, too. Sam Hauser made 5 three pointers for 15 factors. Payton Pritchard contributed 11 factors with eight assists. Xavier Tillman made all three of his threes and grabbed seven rebounds.
Sadly, we received’t do that for actual till December 25 at 5 pm EST. Each groups might be about thirty video games deep into their common season schedule and may have a greater sense of the place they’re at internally. For the Celtics, the vitality may dramatically shift although. That Christmas Day recreation may coincide with the much-anticipated return of Kristaps Porzingis.
Nonetheless, on this October preseason recreation in opposition to Sixers scrubs, the one factor to glean from it’s that the Celtics appear prepared for the common season to begin.
