Of their first sport again at TD Backyard since profitable Sport 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 night time of a back-to-back, Nick Nurse went with Ricky Council IV, KJ Martin, Jared McCain, Jeff Dowtin Jr, and in a pleasing 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 12 months and have been second in 3FG%.
“The objective is rarely to simply shoot them. The objective is to seek out the very best shot,” Mazzulla mentioned in his pre-game presser.
“Within the two Denver video games, the large was up and so they have been serving to from the weak aspect nook and we made the go go to the nook three. We’re by no means going to go these up. They have been engaged on their system, we have been engaged on our system, and people have been the pictures that we’re accessible due to the execution.”
Tonight was one other spectacular exhibiting 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 area targets.
With the staff slow-playing Al Horford’s preseason, it certain appears like Kornet might 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 menace and cutter. Kornet completed with 15 factors (11 within the first quarter), 8 rebounds (5 offensive), and two assists.
“I received numerous dunks. That was enjoyable,” Kornet instructed NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin at halftime.
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum appear to be they’re in mid-season type, too. Albeit in exhibition, they appear to be enjoying with a freer spirit and elegance 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 sphere) 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 gained’t do that for actual till December 25 at 5 pm EST. Each groups will probably be about thirty video games deep into their common season schedule and can have a greater sense of the place they’re at internally. For the Celtics, the vitality might dramatically shift although. That Christmas Day sport might coincide with the much-anticipated return of Kristaps Porzingis.
Nevertheless, on this October preseason sport in opposition to Sixers scrubs, the one factor to glean from it’s that the Celtics appear prepared for the common season to begin.
