After 2 video games towards the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, the Celtics return to the TD Backyard to face the division rival Philadelphia 76ers. Whereas the Celtics stood pat within the off season, bringing again their identical core, the 76ers reworked their roster within the off season in hopes of catching up with the Celtics and hoping to lastly be capable of get out of the second spherical within the playoffs.
Gone are Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum, De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, Paul Reed, Cameron Payne, and Mo Bamba. Additions to their roster embody Paul George, Caleb Martin, Guerschon Yabusele, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona. They’re hoping that Paul George will kind an enormous 3 with Maxey and Embiid to problem the Celtics for the title.
As with every preseason recreation, it’s troublesome to say who will certainly begin for each groups. I’m going to guess that the Celtics will follow the identical 5 that began towards the Nuggets since they haven’t performed since Sunday, October 6. Joe Mazzulla has stated that Al Horford will play in no less than 1 or 2 of the remaining preseason video games, however, since Luke Kornet has match properly because the beginning middle, Horford could come off the bench if he performs.
The 76ers began Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond of their first recreation and changed Gordon with Paul George for his or her second recreation. They’re enjoying again to again video games having misplaced to the Timberwolves 121-111 in Iowa on Friday night time and so I doubt they are going to play him in again to again video games.
Additionally, since Philly’s starters all performed between 23 and 26 minutes on Friday, we most likely gained’t see them in any respect on this recreation. As well as, 76ers coach Nick Nurse has stated that many of the vets would relaxation on this recreation, though solely Embiid is listed on their harm listing. It’s onerous to guess who will begin so I’ve listed the 2nd choice at every place on their depth chart. However, it’s solely a guess.
The Celtics had been 3-1 towards the 76ers final season. They may play 4 occasions this season starting with a Christmas Day conflict. They can even face one another on February 2, February 20, and March 6. The Celtics are 270-197 general all time towards the 76ers and they’re 157-56 in video games performed in Boston.
The Celtics returned from Abu Dhabi with no new accidents. Kristaps Porzingis stays out for the Celtics as he rehabs from offseason surgical procedure on his ankle. Joel Embiid didn’t play in both of Philly’s video games up to now and is questionable for this one as they attempt to begin the season with him wholesome. Embiid is the one participant on the harm listing however I’m not anticipating any of the starters from their final recreation to play.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Reserves
Sam Hauser
Al Horford
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh
2 Means Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anton Watson
Coaching Camp Contracts
Ron Harper, Jr
Jay Scrubb
Dmytro Skapintsev
Lonnie Walker IV
Accidents/Out
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible 76ers Starters
Sixers Reserves
Adem Bona
Tyrese Maxey
Kelly Oubre, Jr
Caleb Martin
Andre Drummond
Paul George
Reggie Jackson
Jared McCain
Judah Mintz
2 Means Gamers
Jeff Dowtin, Jr
Justin Edwards
Lester Quinones
Coaching Camp Contracts
Max Fiedler
Isaiah Mobley
Jordan Tucker
Accidents/Out
Joel Embiid (relaxation) questionable
Head Coach
Nick Nurse
Key Matchups
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Jrue Vacation
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
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Kyle lowry
Picture by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Jrue Vacation vs Kyle Lowry
With Maxey more likely to sit out the second of again to again video games for Philly, I’m guessing that Kyle Lowry will begin, though, being one of many vets and an older participant, Reggie Jackson could get the beginning in Maxey’s place. On Friday, Lowry performed simply 8.5 minutes and completed with 3 factors, 3 rebounds and a pair of assists. He missed each of the photographs he took.
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Luke Kornet
Picture by Adam Glanzman/Getty Photographs
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Guerschon Yabusele
Picture by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Luke Kornet vs Guerschon Yabusele
Andre Drummond began each of the 76ers video games up to now however since he performed 24 minutes on Friday, I doubt we are going to see him on this recreation. Luke Kornet began each video games for the Celtics and can probably begin this recreation however there’s an opportunity that Al Horford could get the beginning as properly. Yabusele wasted no time in profiting from his second probability within the NBA. Within the first recreation towards the Breakers, he was first off the bench and completed with 15 factors, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal whereas capturing 100% from the sector and 100% from past the arc. On Friday, he completed with 3 factors, 3 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal and 1 block in 11 minutes of play.
Honorable Point out
Jaylen Brown vs Ricky Council IV
As with the opposite starters, I’m simply guessing that Council will get the beginning. Over the primary 2 video games, he averaged 9 factors, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals whereas capturing 67% from the sector and 67% from past the arc. That is his 2nd season with the 76ers, with a stable first season below his belt.
Keys to the Recreation
Protection – Protection will all the time be key to successful each recreation, whether or not Summer season League, preseason, common season or playoffs. The Celtics gained a championship final season as a result of they made protection a precedence. They must make protection their precedence for each possession of each recreation.
Rebound – Rebounding is second to protection as a key to successful. It takes effort to get rebounds and the Celtics should go all out of their effort to beat the Sixers on the boards. The Celtics have to preserve the 76ers from getting additional factors across the basket as they’d 20 2nd probability factors vs the Breakers. The Celtics additionally want to provide themselves additional possessions by rebounding on the offensive finish. If the Celtics need to win this one, it’s essential that they go all out to crash the boards.
3 Level Taking pictures – The Celtics relied on capturing threes final season. They had been first within the league, taking 43.5 three pointers per recreation. They had been additionally 1st within the league, making 16.5 threes a recreation. Over their 2 video games towards the Nuggets, the Celtics tried a whopping 54 threes per recreation and made 35% of them. When the Celtics are making their 3’s they’re onerous to beat, however after they wrestle to make 3’s, the sport will get actually ugly.
Chemistry – The Celtics are returning principally the identical staff that gained the championship final season. The 76ers, however, misplaced 8 gamers from final season and changed them with 8 new gamers. It could take them awhile to construct chemistry with all the brand new faces, whereas the Celtics ought to be capable of choose up the place they left off final season.
X-Components
Residence Recreation – The Celtics return to the Backyard for the primary time since they gained the Championship there final season. The Backyard must be rocking and the Celtics ought to draw motivation from their followers.
It’s the Preseason – Participant improvement, constructing chemistry, and participant analysis are crucial factor for coaches within the preseason. We’ll most likely see extra of the rookies on this recreation in addition to the gamers on camp contracts as coaches consider the gamers on the bubble for enjoying time and attempt to protect their starters for the common season.
Officiating – I do know that I say this each recreation, however the officiating can all the time be an x-factor even within the preseason. Each crew calls the sport otherwise whether or not they name each little ticky tack foul or they let numerous contact go and let the groups play. The refs are of their preseason additionally, so it’s onerous to know the way they are going to name this one. The Celtics have gotten to regulate to the best way the sport is being referred to as and never let the calls have an effect on their focus or their play.
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