After 2 video games towards 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 of 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 embrace Paul George, Caleb Martin, Guerschon Yabusele, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona. They’re hoping that Paul George will kind an enormous 3 with Maxey and Embiid to problem the Celtics for the title.
As with all preseason recreation, it’s troublesome to say who will certainly begin for each groups. I’m going to guess that the Celtics will follow the identical 5 that began towards the Nuggets since they haven’t performed since Sunday, October 6. Joe Mazzulla has stated that Al Horford will play in no less than 1 or 2 of the remaining preseason video games, however, since Luke Kornet has match properly because the beginning middle, Horford might come off the bench if he performs.
The 76ers began Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond of their first recreation and changed Gordon with Paul George for his or her second recreation. They’re taking part in 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 in all probability received’t see them in any respect on this recreation. As well as, 76ers coach Nick Nurse has stated that a lot of the vets would relaxation on this recreation, though solely Embiid is listed on their harm record. It’s onerous to guess who will begin so I’ve listed the 2nd possibility at every place on their depth chart. However, it’s solely a guess.
The Celtics had been 3-1 towards the 76ers final season. They may play 4 instances this season starting with a Christmas Day conflict. They may also face one another on February 2, February 20, and March 6. The Celtics are 270-197 general all time towards 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 date 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 recreation to play.
Possible Celtics Starters
Grid View
Celtics ReservesSam HauserAl HorfordPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJaden SpringerXavier Tillman, SrJordan Walsh
2 Means 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 Means 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
Grid View
Jrue Vacation
Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Kyle lowry
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Jrue Vacation vs Kyle LowryWith Maxey prone 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 might 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
Photograph by Adam Glanzman/Getty Photos
Guerschon Yabusele
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Luke Kornet vs Guerschon YabuseleAndre Drummond began each of the 76ers video games to date however since he performed 24 minutes on Friday, I doubt we are going to see him on this recreation. Luke Kornet began each video games for the Celtics and can possible begin this recreation however there’s an opportunity that Al Horford might get the beginning as properly. Yabusele wasted no time in profiting from his second likelihood within the NBA. Within the first recreation towards the Breakers, he was first off the bench and completed with 15 factors, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal whereas taking pictures 100% from the sphere 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 taking pictures 67% from the sphere and 67% from past the arc. That is his 2nd season with the 76ers, with a strong first season underneath his belt.
Keys to the Sport Protection – Protection will all the time be key to profitable each recreation, whether or not Summer season League, preseason, common season or playoffs. The Celtics received a championship final season as a result of they made protection a precedence. They should make protection their precedence for each possession of each recreation.
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 maintain the 76ers from getting further factors across the basket as they’d 20 2nd likelihood factors vs the Breakers. The Celtics additionally want to offer 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 Capturing – The Celtics relied on taking pictures threes final season. They had been first within the league, taking 43.5 three pointers per recreation. They had been additionally 1st within the league, making 16.5 threes a recreation. Over their 2 video games towards the Nuggets, the Celtics tried a whopping 54 threes per recreation and made 35% of them. When the Celtics are making their 3’s they’re onerous to beat, however after they battle to make 3’s, the sport will get actually ugly.
Chemistry – The Celtics are returning mainly the identical staff that received 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 of choose up the place they left off final season.
X-Components House Sport – The Celtics return to the Backyard for the primary time since they received the Championship there final season. The Backyard needs to be rocking and the Celtics ought to draw motivation from their followers.
It’s the Preseason – Participant improvement, constructing chemistry, and participant analysis are an important factor for coaches within the preseason. We are going to in all probability see extra of the rookies on this recreation in addition to the gamers on camp contracts as coaches consider the gamers on the bubble for taking part in time and attempt to protect their starters for the common season.
Officiating – I do know that I say this each recreation, however the officiating can all the time be an x-factor even within the preseason. Each crew calls the sport in a different way 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 onerous to know the way they’ll name this one. The Celtics have gotten to regulate to the way in which 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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