Ten takeaways from the Celtics victory over the Raptors

1. The stay-ready group is crucial.

Boston’s bench is often not ranked among the many deepest within the league, however they’re as impactful as every other unit. There have been some new additions to the group this season, however they proceed to be a well-oiled machine. You see little or no drop-off in execution between the Celtics starters and their bench.

Toronto didn’t have their full lineup for this sport, however they actually had extra starters out there then Boston, and nonetheless discovered themselves down 21 factors on the finish of the primary quarter. All season lengthy the Celtics starters constructed up massive leads, and the bench maintained them. This time, the reserves constructed up an early lead and by no means let it go.

Once you see how arduous the bench pushes different groups, think about how the Celtics practices should look. Each side push one another to be their finest, and the result’s a dominant workforce with wonderful continuity no matter who’s on the ground.

2. Lonnie Walker IV is making his case.

Walker is able that he probably by no means anticipated to search out himself in. He has been a constant rotation piece in each cease he’s made within the league, till now. He has to struggle to make this workforce, and he’s doing simply that.

After a formidable sport in opposition to the 76ers, Walker adopted it up with a fair higher efficiency in opposition to the Raptors. His shotmaking will all the time be his #1 promoting level, and he was filling it up from all around the court docket.

He’s a artistic and athletic driver that could possibly be very profitable taking part in alongside any of the Celtics starters, who excel at getting groups in rotation.

Although it’s in his bag, the Celtics gained’t ask him to create a ton of self-created appears off the dribble if he makes the workforce. When he has to make a play off the bounce although, he’s greater than succesful.

Lonnie has been unselfish, however not shy. Each of these qualities are essential for fulfillment on this system, and his want to show he’s worthy makes me suppose it’d be a mistake to let him go.

3. Jordan Walsh sped up his timeline

There aren’t sufficient phrases to clarify how encouraging Walsh’s preseason has been. It was very clear that there was a participant there, it was not as apparent how quickly he’d be able to contribute.

Walsh’s 3PT shot has been essentially the most eye-opening facet of his preseason ascension. In opposition to the Raptors although, his tempo and really feel actually stood out.

He appears snug driving closeouts, and his jumper being a respectable risk makes his ball fakes much more impactful. Walsh shows nice persistence off the dribble, and you may nearly see the sport slowing down for him.

Walsh has lengthy, athletic strides that enable him to glide by his defender. He will get a step right here and beats the rim protector with a robust lefty end.

This younger man isn’t even sufficiently old to legally purchase a drink, however he’s enhancing quickly and will realistically play himself into a task this season.

4. Lead guard Pritchard is enjoyable

Each single time Payton Pritchard has the chance to run the offense, he’s extraordinarily productive. He was nothing wanting sensational on this sport.

The very best factor about Payton is that you can match him up in opposition to any guard within the league, and he would imagine 100% that he’s on their stage or higher. If you happen to watch him play in video games like this with out the leash on, you’ll most likely begin to imagine it, too.

He completed the sport with 19 factors and 9 assists and was unbothered by something the Raptors threw at him.

As a facilitator, he runs an excellent half court docket offense. He piles up assists with out trying to find them in any respect, as an alternative making the most of his personal gravity to open up passing lanes.

With Jrue Vacation getting older, and the celebrities needing relaxation often, Boston can be sensible to present Pritchard an opportunity to run the present at any time when they will afford it.

5. Neemias Queta shines because the starter.

With Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman resting, Queta began at heart. He was everywhere on this one, filling up the stat sheet with ease.

My largest hope for Neemy was for him to change into a extra disciplined defender. He has nice size that may make him extra of a rim deterrent if he merely retains his palms excessive and forces gamers to complete round or by means of him. Possessions like this present that he’s already rising in that division.

As an vitality man, Queta earns his cash scoring additional possessions for the Celtics.

He’s very fast off the ground and infrequently coordinated sufficient to manage tricks to himself to maintain the play alive.

The passing is a piece in progress, however one thing that Queta and the teaching workers are constructing into his duties. He picked up 5 assists, and so they weren’t flashy however they had been a glance into how he may be helpful in dribble handoff eventualities

Queta is a improbable participant to have on any event, however with gamers resting at his place, it’s clear how useful it’s to have one other high quality choice to absorb massive minutes.

6. Jaden Springer’s position

Springer began preseason trying like one of many favorites to get the primary crack at becoming a member of the Celtics rotation rather than Oshae Brissett. After coming back from Abu Dhabi although, that has seemed much less probably.

Mazzulla could possibly be trying to see different choices from a spot of consolation with what Springer can present. That’s a extra optimistic view than what it has seemed like although. After sitting for the whole lot of the 76ers sport, Springer performed for simply seven minutes within the first three quarters in opposition to the Raptors, earlier than grabbing a number of extra within the 4th.

He’s a gifted younger defensive guard, however with Walsh and Walker giving the workforce good minutes, his pathway to changing into a rotation piece is shrinking with every second he sits on the bench.

7. The Maine Celtics

The Raptors managed to cut the Celtics lead down with a lopsided 2nd half. As the sport went on, and Mazzulla leaned on the deepest reserves he may discover, the execution from earlier within the sport was nowhere to be discovered.

With the Maine Celtics in cost, they seemed disjointed and didn’t have any rhythm. It’s been a very long time since you can say that a few workforce sporting the Celtics inexperienced.

JD Davison had a number of strong moments, however couldn’t get the offense organized. Whereas his sport undoubtedly appears improved heading into his third season, if he needs to stay in with the Celtics or one other workforce, they’ll wish to see extra refinement as an initiator.

Rookie Anton Watson was in an identical boat with an up and down efficiency highlighted by a few flashes within the 4th quarter, together with a tricky layup and a blow-by dunk.

I feel collectively we are able to minimize these guys some slack, contemplating Mazzulla was most likely enthusiastic about the truth that they received crunch time expertise.

8. Drew Peterson is attention-grabbing.

Admittedly, I didn’t catch a ton of Maine Celtics video games this season. In his restricted run with the Celtics, it was unclear what kind of participant he may change into. His preseason efficiency has proven a extra various offensive sport than I used to be conscious he had.

With an prolonged run, Peterson put collectively his finest sport as a Celtic ending with 23 factors capturing 6/9 from the sphere. With the lead beginning to slip away, it was Drew that helped ensure that Boston had simply sufficient to complete on prime.

He gained’t be an everyday for this workforce, however Brad Stevens providing him a two-way contract is sufficient to persuade me to maintain tabs on his improvement.

9. Avoiding dangerous habits

Regardless of the sloppy 4th quarter, this sport was one other instance of how critical this workforce is of their method. From prime to backside, the group has made it clear that they aren’t skipping any steps. The preseason is often used to tune up your sport, however the Celtics haven’t simply been going by means of the motions. This win introduced them to 4-0, and so they’ve been working by means of groups for essentially the most half.

The lineups and minutes could inform you in any other case, however they’re treating these video games as actual alternatives to play their sport and ship a message to the league.

10. Mazzulla is creating an enduring tradition

When Mazzulla first took over as head coach, he was working with another person’s teaching workers and had little or no time to construct his personal scheme. Coming off of a championship, he’s been capable of develop from their secure basis, slightly than constructing it up from scratch

Consequently, the workforce turns into extra self-sufficient and able to simply integrating new gamers whereas nonetheless executing their system, like we noticed on this sport. This can be a key piece of what helps flip a champion right into a dynasty. Groups just like the Spurs and Warriors had roster turnover, however every addition fell in line and helped prolong their title runs.

Boston was lucky to convey again most of their championship roster, however they’re seeing a number of returners try to step into a bigger position, and that requires them to play the proper manner.

Whatever the path the roster goes sooner or later, Mazzulla is constructing towards sustained success.

Picture by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Pictures