We’re one-half of the best way by the Boston Celtics’ preseason opener towards the Denver Nuggets and issues are going alright. Denver leads 63-56, however it’s merely thrilling to be watching Boston play basketball once more.
After an extended summer time of nothingness, prepare for some halftime sizzling takes, buddy.
Before everything, the brand new NBC Sports activities Boston scorebug is completely hideous. I’ve a sense that there’s nonetheless some work to be finished on the design, however because it stands — YEESH.
Simply to pile on the printed a bit extra, I didn’t encounter this, however many individuals gave the impression to be experiencing an audio delay through the first half.
Tough begin.
The Celtics clearly function on Jap Time regardless of the place they’re enjoying.
We’re not lengthy faraway from the times when the Cs had been seemingly popping out flat each time they performed a recreation whereas the solar was out. With as we speak’s noontime Jap tip, it appears to be like like they’re again to their outdated methods.
Boston scored simply 9 factors earlier than the primary TV timeout on Friday and a few of their misses had been ROUGH. On prime of that, they gave up a number of possessions with three early turnovers.
They did, nonetheless, reply effectively after a fast breather, capturing a 21-20 lead forward of the second timeout.
Sadly, they’d rating simply 4 extra factors for the complete quarter, trailing 32-25 by the buzzer.
Sizzling Wings clearly had no impact on Jaylen Brown
My goodness, Jaylen Brown hasn’t stopped profitable since June when he captured a pair of sequence MVP awards. This week, he picked up proper the place he left off within the spring. He graced the quilt of “Time” journal, then made fairly the impression throughout an look on “Sizzling Ones” At this time, regardless of the crew’s slower begin, he regarded as sharp as ever within the first quarter. JB rapidly piled up seven factors, together with a loud slam by site visitors. His protection was simply as vociferous, as he rudely pinned a Vlatko Cancar layup to the glass.
That success didn’t come and not using a worth, although. Brown appeared to harm his hand or wrist (perhaps his “groin”) in the direction of the tip of the primary, however did wind up returning to the ground earlier than halftime.
‘Preseason P’ is essentially the most sure factor about this Celtics crew
After averaging 15.6 factors per recreation within the preseason final yr, Payton Pritchard is as soon as once more making his presence recognized. Somebody in our “How ‘Bout Them Celtics” pregame stream chat stated that the road on PP to drop 30 was like +875.
Which may wind up being FREE.
The newly-married man exploded for 14 factors within the opening 24 minutes. It is likely to be time for all of us to start out speaking about “husband power” the best way that we discuss “dad power.”
Notable Absences
To date as we speak, we haven’t gotten to see any of Boston’s new faces take the ground simply but. Each rookies, Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson, in addition to late-summer signee, Lonnie Walker IV, had been all glued to the bench within the first half.
There was loads of buzz surrounding all three males, however I’ll have to carry off on any sizzling takes for now.
Additionally lacking had been Al Horford (presumably relaxation) and Neemias Queta. Queta is a little bit of a stunning snub, contemplating that he must be within the working for some additional minutes within the early stretch of the season with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined.
Notable Appearances
On a extra optimistic observe, we’ve gotten to get a take a look at Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and second-year wing Jordan Walsh. Kornet began at middle with Horford out, which can say one thing about his standing with Joe Mazzula.
Each Tillman and Walsh performed a wholesome dose of bench minutes. It shouldn’t go unnoticed that as quickly as X checked into the sport Boston ran a play to get him an open three. As for Walshy, he regarded much more comfy than he did in Summer season League, particularly on protection. He had a number of good stands towards the Nuggets, together with a block on a fastbreak.
Additionally, Kevin Garnett and Steve Harvey are in the home!
