1. How does Boston reply after an 0-2 begin?
Two video games into the season, the Celtics are nonetheless on the lookout for their first win. Granted, their two opponents — Philadelphia and New York — have excessive postseason ambitions, however that’s inappropriate. Towards the 76ers, Boston blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead. On Friday night time in opposition to the Knicks, New York jumped out to a 20-point halftime benefit and held on regardless of a late Celtics rally.
Now Boston travels to Detroit to tackle the 1-1 Pistons, who defeated the Houston Rockets on Friday night time and this sport already appears like a must-win.
It was at all times going to be an adjustment for the Celtics to discover a new identification with out Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porziņģis, however they should discover methods to grind out wins whereas nonetheless determining who they’re.
This matchup is an ideal check in opposition to one other younger crew with playoff aspirations — and one with sufficient firepower to punish Boston if the Celtics aren’t totally locked in.
The rookie didn’t play within the residence opener in opposition to the 76ers. Nevertheless, Hugo González logged 23 minutes in opposition to the Knicks and regarded the half — particularly on the defensive finish. González even obtained a shoutout from Amazon Prime’s Stan Van Gundy in the course of the broadcast.
“I’ve obtained a person crush on Hugo González,” Van Gundy stated.
It was straightforward to see why. González made performs that introduced again recollections of Marcus Good — the type of hustle performs that don’t present up on the field rating. He has an extended approach to go earlier than reaching Good’s stage, however in his 23 minutes of motion, he didn’t disappoint.
Standing 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, González has the potential to turn into a lockdown defender. He guarded each guards and bigs, even stripping the ball from former Celtic Guerschon Yabusele within the second half.
If head coach Joe Mazzulla needs gamers competing at one hundred pc, González nailed his audition. And with a tricky, bodily guard up subsequent in Cade Cunningham, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Mazzulla check his rookie with that project.
3. Who will win the White vs. Cunningham twin?
The most effective particular person matchups in final 12 months’s conferences between the Celtics and Pistons got here between Cade Cunningham and Derrick White.
In Detroit, White denied Cunningham on the rim twice — together with a game-saving block late within the fourth quarter.
Cunningham obtained one again earlier within the sport with a first-half poster dunk over White.
After the sport White spoke concerning the block and being dunked on:
“He dunked on me earlier within the sport, so I felt like I needed to get some revenge on that one,” White stated.
When the 2 groups met once more in Boston, Cunningham as soon as once more rose up and dunked over White.
This duel stays a key storyline. Cunningham is Detroit’s greatest participant, whereas White is Boston’s second-best participant and high defender. If White can restrict Cunningham — which is simpler stated than carried out — Boston could have a robust probability to seize its first win of the season on the street.
