Head coach Joe Mazulla made it clear earlier than the sport that he wished to see what his prime gamers appear like collectively throughout preseason. From curtain to curtain, the celebs didn’t disappoint within the 13-point victory.
The Celtics sprinted out of the gate, scoring 55 factors within the first quarter-hour. They shot 12-for-21 from three throughout that stretch, fueling what may very well be one of many league’s most potent offenses this season.
The primary sequence of the sport contained a simple Kristaps Porzingis nook three over Mitchell Robinson, adopted by a block by Jayson Tatum – resulting in a Derrick White transition three.
Porzingis and Tatum stored the vitality going from the frontcourt, combining for 36 factors within the first half, capturing 64% from three, and dealing on the offensive boards.
Jrue Vacation, Derrick White, and Jaylen Brown joined Tatum and Porzingis within the beginning lineup, doubtlessly signaling the starters Mazzulla would possibly use when the season begins. The fivesome appeared to neglect it was simply the preseason to begin the sport, with playoff-level depth and tempo. Boston scored 78 factors within the first half.
It wasn’t all excellent news. Additionally they gave up 60 factors in that half to a Knicks group with out Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, or RJ Barrett. To cite NBC Boston’s Brian Scalibrine on the printed: “if it was the playoffs, I’d be upset.” But it surely isn’t, so I’m not.
Boston’s offense cooled down from three within the third quarter, finishing solely 3. Mazzulla remained dedicated to going manner too arduous for preseason although, enjoying the celebs by way of the quarter and selecting up a technical foul. In equity to Mazzulla, the officers have been fairly free with the ‘T’s and handed one to Brown within the first half.
Tatum completed with 28 factors and eight rebounds, drilled a bunch of pull-up threes, and performed bodily on each ends. Porzingis chipped in with 20 and eight, and Brown scored a simple 17 with out dominating the ball. Jrue Vacation, although he didn’t overload the stat sheet (10 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and a couple of steals), was an on-ball hound and confirmed how nice Boston’s protection might be as soon as the whole lot gels. Calling out switches and speaking between performs, he appears to be sliding into his function as quarterback of the protection.
The understudies took over within the fourth, although Porzingis and Al Horford remained within the sport for half of that quarter. Throughout that stretch, we noticed the beginnings of a Kristaps Porzingis-Payton Pritchard two-man sport that may hopefully end in many extra of those alley-oops.
Mazzulla additionally stayed dedicated by way of the sport to the fashion of basketball he’s well-known for – ridiculous numbers of three pointers. In complete, the Celtics shot 23-for-52 from deep tonight. If Boston shoots that nicely all through the season, Mazzulla ball will look wonderful.
All in all, it was a dominant offensive efficiency from Boston’s top-6. The Celtics confirmed that its new defensive additions might be efficient, even when they didn’t put all of it collectively. Hopefully they’ll sustain their excellent capturing and energy when opening evening jitters hit October twenty fifth.
