The Hornets performed within the California Traditional Summer time League earlier than coming to Las Vegas. They received all 3 video games there, beating San Antonio, the staff from China, and Sacramento. In addition they received their first sport in Las Vegas, beating the Knicks 94-90. The Celtics and Hornets final performed in Summer time League in 2018 when the Celtics received 100-80, whereas beginning Kadeem Allen, Jarrod Uthoff, Jabari Hen, Semi Ojeleye, and Guerrschon Yabusele.
As at all times in Summer time League, it’s subsequent to inconceivable to foretell who will begin as coaches attempt to combine and match gamers and to experiment with completely different beginning lineups. After being the Celtics finest participant in opposition to the Warmth, Jaden Springer sat out the sport in opposition to the Lakers, not even dressing for the sport. The coach was noncommittal as as to if his absence was because of an damage or not.
The Celtics have fielded related beginning lineups of their 2 video games to this point with Davison, Scheierman, Walsh, and Queta beginning each video games. Springer began in opposition to the warmth and Peterson began in opposition to the Lakers. They might begin the same lineup or one that’s fully completely different. The Hornets began Simpson, Smith, McGowens, Black and Gueye of their first 2 video games and Simpson, Smith, Miller, Black and Stephens of their final two video games.
D.J. MacLeay is teaching the Celtics Summer time League staff. The Celtics employed MacLeay in 2021 as a participant enhancement coach on Ime Udoka’s workers. In July 2022 he was promoted to assistant coach. He stayed with the Celtics as an assistant after Udoka left. Assistant coach Josh Longstaff is teaching the Hornets. He has been an assistant coach for Chicago, Milwaukee, New York and Oklahoma Metropolis. He has additionally been the pinnacle coach of the Erie Bayhawks within the GLeague.
Boston Celtics Roster
Tyler Cook dinner
JD Davison
Tristan Enaruna
Ron Harper, Jr
Jaelen Home
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Jahmi?us Ramsey
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Killian Tillie
Jordan Walsh
Anton Watson
Head Coach
D.J. MacLeay
Starters Final Recreation
JD Davison
Baylor Scheierman
Jordan Walsh
Drew Peterson
Neemias Queta
Gamers to Watch
Neemias Queta
Queta was simply the most effective participant in Monday’s sport in opposition to the Lakers. He completed with 22 factors, 8 rebounds, and three blocks whereas taking pictures 70% from the sphere. He additionally performed excellent protection whereas defending the paint. He began the primary two video games however as issues go in Summer time League, he could or could not play on this sport.
Anton Watson
Watson was the 54th decide within the draft and will not less than get a 2 manner contract. He got here off the bench and, whereas his stats received’t bounce off the web page, he performed excellent protection and gave the impression to be in the correct place on the proper time. He is an effective rebounder and hustles, bringing vitality to the sport.
Baylor Scheierman
Scheierman was the Celtics thirtieth decide on this yr’s draft. He is named a shooter however his efficiency within the first 2 video games proves that he’s a flexible participant with nice court docket imaginative and prescient. He completed Monday’s sport with 3 factors, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. He struggled along with his shot however picked up his protection and performed arduous in different areas. One of many highlights of the sport was when he dove into the 2nd row to save lots of a ball from going out of bounds. That form of hustle ought to earn him taking part in time.
Charlotte Hornets Roster
James Banks III
RaeQuan Battle
Leaky Black
Pedro Bradshaw
Kevin Cross, Jr
Marcus Garrett
Mouhamadou Gueye
Malik Corridor
Caleb McConnell
Bryce McGowens
Brandon Miller
Matt Morgan
Drew Pember
Charles Satisfaction
Tidjane Salaun
Zavier Simpson
KJ Simpson
Brandon Slater
Nick Smith, Jr
Jake Stephens
Starters Final Recreation
Xavier Simpson
Nick Smith, Jr
Brandon Miller
Leaky Black
Jake Stephens
Gamers to Watch
Brandon Miller
Miller was the #2 decide in final yr’s draft and was third in Rookie of the Yr voting. He performed as you’d count on a second yr lottery decide would. He completed the Hornets first sport in opposition to the Knicks with 23 factors, 8 rebounds, and a couple of assists. Nevertheless, he additionally had 7 turnovers. He shot 43.8% from the sphere and 50% from past the arc. He has began the final 2 video games for the Hornets.
Nick Smith, Jr
Smith was the twenty seventh decide within the 2023 draft. He completed this sport with 24 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal whereas taking pictures 52.9% from the sphere and 44.4% from past the arc. He has began all 4 video games for the Hornets in Summer time League (3 in California and 1 in Las Vegas).
Zavier Simpson
Simpson has began all 4 video games to this point for the Hornets. He completed Saturday’s sport with 15 factors, 4 rebounds, 10 assists and 1 block. He shot 55.6% from the sphere and 100% from past the arc. He has good court docket imaginative and prescient and distributes the ball effectively.
Keys to the Recreation
Protection – Simply as protection is the important thing to each sport within the common season and within the playoffs, it is usually the important thing to profitable within the Summer time League. Of their first sport in Las Vegas, the Celtics allowed the Warmth to shoot 61.5% from the sphere and 60% from past the arc. Towards the Lakers, they clamped down on protection and held the Lakers to 36.4% from the sphere and 30.8% from past the arc. The Celtics must proceed to play robust protection on this sport.
Rebound – Together with protection, rebounding is at all times a key to profitable. The Celtics out-rebounded the Warmth 35-29 of their first sport. The Celtics out-rebounded the Lakers 38-35. The Celtics must proceed to crash the boards on this sport in the event that they wish to get a win.
Enchancment – In Summer time League, enchancment and analysis are extra vital than profitable. Each coaches are searching for enchancment from returning gamers and they’re evaluating the entire gamers on the roster for potential spots on the roster or 2 manner contracts. The Celtics noticed enchancment in a number of gamers between their first sport and their second sport and hopefully will see much more enchancment on this sport.
X-Elements
Chemistry and Expertise
The Celtics have performed simply 2 video games in Summer time League. The Hornets have performed 4 video games in Summer time League, taking part in 3 in California and 1 in Las Vegas. The Hornets have a reasonably skilled Summer time League staff with 1 5 yr participant, 2 4 yr gamers, 2 3 yr gamers, 2 2 yr gamers, 6 1 yr gamers and seven rookies.