After 2 video games in opposition to 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 similar core, the 76ers reworked their roster within the off season in hopes of catching up with the Celtics and hoping to lastly be capable to 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 type an enormous 3 with Maxey and Embiid to problem the Celtics for the title.
As with all preseason sport, it’s tough to say who will certainly begin for each groups. I’m going to guess that the Celtics will keep on with the identical 5 that began in opposition to the Nuggets since they haven’t performed since Sunday, October 6. Joe Mazzulla has stated that Al Horford will play in at the very least 1 or 2 of the remaining preseason video games, however, since Luke Kornet has match nicely 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 sport and changed Gordon with Paul George for his or her second sport. 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’ll 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 sport. As well as, 76ers coach Nick Nurse has stated that a lot of the vets would relaxation on this sport, though solely Embiid is listed on their harm record. It’s arduous 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 have been 3-1 in opposition to the 76ers final season. They are going to 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 in opposition to 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 to this point and is questionable for this one as they attempt to begin the season with him wholesome. Embiid is the one participant on the harm record however I’m not anticipating any of the starters from their final sport to play.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
Celtics ReservesSam HauserAl HorfordPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJaden SpringerXavier Tillman, SrJordan Walsh
2 Method PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Coaching Camp ContractsRon Harper, JrJay ScrubbDmytro SkapintsevLonnie Walker IV
Accidents/OutKristaps Porzingis (ankle) out
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible 76ers Starters
Grid View
Sixers Reserves Adem Bona Tyrese MaxeyKelly Oubre, JrCaleb MartinAndre DrummondPaul GeorgeReggie Jackson Jared McCainJudah Mintz
2 Method PlayersJeff Dowtin, JrJustin Edwards Lester Quinones
Coaching Camp Contracts Max FiedlerIsaiah MobleyJordan 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 Photos
Kyle lowry
Picture by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Jrue Vacation vs Kyle LowryWith 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 couple of assists. He missed each of the pictures he took.
Grid View
Luke Kornet
Picture by Adam Glanzman/Getty Photos
Guerschon Yabusele
Picture by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Luke Kornet vs Guerschon YabuseleAndre Drummond began each of the 76ers video games to this point however since he performed 24 minutes on Friday, I doubt we’ll see him on this sport. Luke Kornet began each video games for the Celtics and can doubtless begin this sport however there’s an opportunity that Al Horford could get the beginning as nicely. Yabusele wasted no time in profiting from his second likelihood within the NBA. Within the first sport in opposition to 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 MentionJaylen Brown vs Ricky Council IVAs 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 at all times be key to profitable each sport, 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 need to make protection their precedence for each possession of each sport.
Rebound – Rebounding is second to protection as a key to profitable. 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 must preserve the 76ers from getting further factors across the basket as that they had 20 2nd likelihood factors vs the Breakers. The Celtics additionally want to provide themselves further possessions by rebounding on the offensive finish. If the Celtics wish 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 have been first within the league, taking 43.5 three pointers per sport. They have been additionally 1st within the league, making 16.5 threes a sport. Over their 2 video games in opposition to the Nuggets, the Celtics tried a whopping 54 threes per sport and made 35% of them. When the Celtics are making their 3’s they’re arduous to beat, however after they battle to make 3’s, the sport will get actually ugly.
Chemistry – The Celtics are returning mainly the identical workforce that gained the championship final season. The 76ers, then again, 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 to choose up the place they left off final season.
X-Elements Dwelling 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 growth, constructing chemistry, and participant analysis are an important factor for coaches within the preseason. We are going to most likely see extra of the rookies on this sport 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 sport, however the officiating can at all times 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 a variety of contact go and let the groups play. The refs are of their preseason additionally, so it’s arduous to know the way they’ll 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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