The Celtics start their preseason slate with a sport in Memphis towards the Grizzlies. They are going to play 1 extra sport on the highway on 10/10 in Toronto and a couple of extra video games at dwelling on 10/15 vs Toronto and on 10/18 vs Philadelphia to shut out the preseason. That is the Grizzlies second preseason sport. They misplaced to the Pistons 128-112 on Monday.
The Celtics crew that we see take the court docket on this sport will look a lot totally different from the one we noticed within the semifinals in Could. Gone are Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet and Jrue Vacation. And, in fact, Jayson Tatum will miss a lot of the season after tearing his Achilles within the sequence towards the Knicks.
The Celtics have added Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Chris Boucher, Luka Garza, and Hugo Gonzalez. They misplaced expertise and familiarity and it’ll not be straightforward to exchange the management that Al Horford and Jrue Vacation delivered to the crew. However they’ve added velocity, athleticism, and youth. The Celtics are saying that they plan to play quicker and tougher this season.
There have been tales of war-like practices and Payton Pritchard emerged from one with a bloody gash on his neck so they’re clearly taking part in exhausting in apply. However, the true check might be after they take the ground towards the Grizzlies. Will they proceed to play tougher and quicker when the opponent is an unfamiliar crew?
The Grizzlies misplaced Desmond Bane to Orlando and Jay Huff to Indiana. Additionally they misplaced Marvin Bagley III, Luke Kennard and Lamar Stevens. They added Kentavious Caldwell-Pope within the Bane commerce and signed Jock Landale. They drafted Cedric Coward eleventh, Javon Small forty eighth, and Jahmai Mashack 59th.
The Celtics are principally wholesome getting into the preseason with Jayson Tatum being the exception. The Grizzlies have already been hit with accidents. Ja Morant injured his ankle in apply and is taken into account week to week. Jaren Jackson, Jr is out after having surgical procedure in July to assist cope with turf toe. Zach Edey is out after surgical procedure to restore laxity in his ankle. Lastly, Brandon Clarker is out as a consequence of proper ankle synovitis that required an arthroscopic process.
I’m guessing that Joe begins Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta as a consequence of the truth that they’ve performed collectively final season and might be conversant in one another and the system. He could shock everybody and begin 5 new gamers as a result of that will be a really Joe factor to do. I’ve listed the Grizzlies beginning lineup from Monday’s sport however that’s only a guess as a result of the preseason is all about experimenting with totally different lineups and gamers.
Potential Beginning MatchupsPoint Guard
Payton Pritchard vs Ty Jerome
Derrick White vs Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Sam Hauser vs Jaylen Wells
Jaylen Brown vs Santi Aldama
Neemias Queta vs Jock Landale
Celtics ReservesAnfernee SimonsJosh MinottWendell Moore, JrKendall BrownRon Harper, JrJalen BridgesChris BoucherXavier TillmanJordan WalshHugo GonzalezSam HauserLuka GarzaBaylon Scheierman
2-Manner PlayersRJ Luis, JrMax ShulgaAmari Williams
Accidents/OutJayson Tatum (Achilles) outHead CoachJoe Mazzulla
Grizzlies ReservesTyler BurtonLawson LoveringScotty Pippen, JrVince WilliamsBraxton KeyCedrick CowardCam SpencerGG Jackson, JrJohn KoncharJahmai Mashack2 Manner PlayersOlivier Maxence-ProsperJavon SmallPJ Corridor
Accidents/OutJaren Jackson, Jr (toe) outZach Edey (ankle) outBrandon Clarke (knee) outJa Morant (ankle) out
Head CoachTuomas IsaloKey Matchups
Payton Pritchard vs Ty JeromeThere might be a battle within the preseason between Pritchard and Simons for the start line guard. I’m guessing that it goes to Pritchard and have him beginning right here. With Ja Morant out for the Grizzlies, they began Ty Jerome on Monday and I’m guessing that he’ll begin once more. He led the Grizzlies with 16 factors, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and a couple of steals whereas taking pictures 55% from the sphere and 40% from 3.
Derrick White vs Kentavious Caldwell-PopeThe Celtics will lean closely on Derrick White this season and I count on that he would be the beginning taking pictures guard this season. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is anticipated to start out for the Grizzlies. He averaged 8.7 factors, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per sport for Orlando final season. In Monday’s sport, he completed with 15 factors, 2 rebounds and three assists whereas taking pictures 60% from the sphere and 60% from past the arc.
Honorable MentionNeemias Queta vs Jock LandaleThe beginning middle spot is large open after the Celtics misplaced Porzingis, Horford and Kornet. After his displaying at Eurobasket, it’s anticipated that Queta is the possible participant to start out at middle, at the least at first, till another person beats him out for it. Landale began on Monday and completed with 9 factors, 7 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal and 1 block whereas taking pictures 42.9% from the sphere and 66.7% from past the arc.
Keys to the GameDefense – Whether or not it’s Summer time League, Preseason, Common Season, or Playoffs, protection will all the time be the important thing to profitable. the Grizzlies allowed the Cavs to shoot 53.3% from the sphere and 35.9% from past the arc however they’ve a sport below their belts and can attempt to enhance on their protection on this sport. Studies out of coaching camp are that the Celtics want to emphasize protection this season and this might be their first likelihood to again up their discuss with powerful lock down protection.
Rebound – As with protection, rebounding will all the time be a key to profitable each sport. The Grizzlies had been out-rebounded 55-38 on Monday. The Celtics might want to rebound as a crew with gamers crashing the boards from each place. The Celtics can’t rating with out the ball and rebounding is an effective way to get the ball and to get further possessions.Play Arduous Each Minute – The Celtics have gone at one another exhausting in apply in camp thus far however now could be the time to place that effort into profitable for actual towards a distinct opponent. Taking part in tougher than the opponent can typically make the distinction in a win or a loss. Over the past 2 seasons, Celtics losses had been typically the results of the opponent taking part in tougher than them, although the Celtics had extra expertise. After dropping a lot expertise, the Celtics could make up for a few of it with further effort.
X-FactorsRust and Chemistry- That is the Celtics first preseason sport with loads of new faces. Even with the identical group, the primary sport all the time contains shaking off loads of rust. The Grizzlies have already performed one sport to do away with a number of the rust and develop some chemistry. Hopefully the Celtics can shortly play by the rust and play collectively as a crew proper from the beginning.Preseason – The preseason is a time for the coaches to get a have a look at gamers who could or could not make the crew, to experiment with lineups and totally different performs. Wins and losses should not as vital as studying issues in regards to the gamers and the crew. No matter whether or not the Celtics win or lose it is going to be nice to see them on the court docket once more!!
