That is the primary preseason sport for each of those groups. They final met within the 2nd spherical of the Jap Convention playoffs the place the Celtics beat the 76ers 4 video games to three. It is a very long time division rivalry, though Joel Embiid as soon as famously stated that this isn’t a rivalry as a result of “They all the time kick our a**.”
The Celtics are taking part in within the first of again to again video games. They are going to journey to New York to tackle the Knicks in Madison Sq. Backyard on Monday night time. They’re additionally taking part in within the first of three video games in 4 nights as they may as soon as once more face the 76ers on Wednesday, this time in Philadelphia. The 76ers are off on Monday and Tuesday and their subsequent sport will likely be at dwelling in opposition to the Celtics on Wednesday.
The Celtics have undergone fairly a little bit of change over the offseason. Gone is the center and soul of the crew, Marcus Good, together with different key gamers together with Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon, Grant Williams, Mike Muscala, and Danilo Gallinari. However the Celtics have added some key gamers together with Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Vacation and Svi Mykhailiuk. There’s some continuity with the Joe Mazzulla returning as head coach for a second season. They’ve additionally added high assistants Sam Cassell and Charles Lee to the teaching workers.
The 76ers haven’t had as a lot turnover of their roster however they’re removed from having continuity. Doc Rivers is gone and Nick Nurse is now the top coach and so the crew is instituting a brand new system. Additionally, they’ve confronted drama all through the off season with James Harden demanding a commerce however not getting one. Harden didn’t attend media day or the primary day of coaching camp however he did report and went by way of a full observe on Saturday. They did add Kelly Oubre, Jr and Patrick Beverley, who might give them slightly increase.
Preseason video games are powerful to foretell as coaches like to experiment and infrequently relaxation common starters whereas taking part in guys who’re on the cusp to determine who goes and who stays. Joe Mazzulla has stated that he plans to play his starters gentle minutes within the preseason so we’ll seemingly see plenty of the reserves on this sport. One of many huge questions is whether or not Derrick White or Al Horford will begin. I’m guessing Derrick, however I could also be flawed.
James Harden didn’t totally take part most of coaching camp however he did have a full observe on Saturday so he might or might not get the beginning and even play. Nobody is aware of what’s going to occur with him. Will he start the season on the crew, or will he get his want and be traded earlier than the season begins. Will he play within the preseason or will he sit out? I’m guessing that he performs however it’s attainable that he sits out. Montrezl Harrell is out with a knee damage.
Possible Celtics Starters
PG: Jrue Vacation
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics Reserves
Delano Banton
Oshae Brissett
JD Davison (2 Means)
Wenyen Gabriel
Sam Hauser
Al Horford
Luke Kornet
Svi Mykhailiuk
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta (2 Means)
Jay Scrubb (2 Means)
Lamar Stevens
DJ Steward
Jordan Walsh
Accidents/Out
None
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible 76ers Starters
PG: Patrick Beverley
SG: Tyrese Maxey
SF: Tobias Harris
PF: PJ Tucker
C: Paul Reed
76ers Reserves
Mo Bamba
Kelly Oubre, Jr
Jaden Springer
Danny Inexperienced
Ricky Council IV (2 Means)
Azuolas Tubelis (2 Means)
Patrick Beverley
Terquavion Smith (2 Means)
Danuel Home, Jr
David Duke, Jr
Filip Petrusev
Javonte Good
Accidents/Out
Montrezl Harrell (Knee) out
De’Anthony Melton (relaxation) out
Joel Embiid (relaxation) out
Furkan Korkmaz (relaxation) out
James Harden (private) out
Head Coach
Nick Nurse
Key Matchups
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Jrue Vacation
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photographs
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Patrick Beverley
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Jrue Vacation vs Patrick Beverley
With the information that Harden will sit out this sport, I’m guessing that Patrick Beverley will begin in his place. Celtics followers will likely be eagerly watching Jrue Vacation’s first sport as a Celtic. This will likely be a matchup between Jrue and one other powerful defensive minded guard in Patrick Beverley. However, we in all probability received’t see plenty of Jrue, even when he begins. Celtics followers can even be watching to see Payton Pritchard, who Sam Hauser has stated “is out for blood.”
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Kristaps Porzingis
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photographs
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Paul Reed
Picture by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Kristaps Porzingis vs Paul Reed
Celtics followers can even be concerned to see Kristaps Porzingis for the primary time in a Celtics uniform. With information that the reigning MVP will likely be sitting out, I’m guessing that Paul Reed will begin at heart. Once more, we won’t see Porzingis for giant minutes however we should always get pleasure from no matter minutes he provides us.
Honorable Point out
Jayson Tatum vs PJ Tucker
Tatum has placed on fairly a little bit of muscle over the offseason and has labored with Paul Pierce to enhance his sport. He comes into the season with a chip on his shoulder and the intention of constructing the All Defensive crew. Although he seemingly received’t play many minutes, it will likely be good to see if his sport matches up together with his speak and intentions.
Keys to the Recreation
Protection – Whether or not it’s the first sport of preseason, or the ultimate sport of the NBA Finals, protection is all the time the important thing to profitable. Each Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have declared that they need to make the All Defensive crew. Jrue Vacation brings a defensive mindset to the sport. Joe Mazzulla has stated that he’ll emphasize protection extra typically in practices this season. Let’s hope the Celtics comply with by way of with this and reclaim their defensive mindset this season.
Rebound – The Celtics can’t rating in the event that they don’t have the ball, and one of the best ways to get the ball is the seize rebounds. They’ve misplaced a few of their rebounding with Timelord taking part in in Portland however at 7’3”, Kristaps Porzingis ought to have the ability to seize rebounds. The Celtics additionally have to rebound as a crew with each Celtic battling on the boards. It’ll take a crew effort to beat the 76ers on the boards.
Reserve Play – With the starters prone to be taking part in gentle minutes, the Celtics might want to lean closely on their reserves. How will the brand new gamers like Banton, Brissett, Walsh, Mykhailiuk and Gabriel do of their first sport as Celtics? How will returning gamers like Luke Kornet, Sam Hauser, and Payton Pritchard do as they return to the lineup as key reserves with one thing to show.
Chemistry – Chemistry and continuity are each essential to groups attempting to win a championship. The Celtics have a number of new gamers to work into the crew and to construct chemistry with. They’ve the continuity of the identical head coach and key gamers returning. The 76ers have a brand new coach and a brand new system to get acclimated to. They’ve the uncertainty of James Harden’s scenario to beat, however additionally they have most of the similar key gamers returning.
X-Components
It’s the preseason and more often than not coaches don’t care in the event that they win or lose however are searching for enchancment in gamers, which rotations work, which gamers on the cusp will keep on with the crew and conserving their key gamers wholesome. Ultimately, hopefully each groups keep wholesome and we see some good issues from starters and reserves alike.
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