Halftime hot takes: Celtics’ bench might be a playoff team in the East

We’re midway by the second and remaining preseason recreation at TD Backyard and the Boston Celtics are dismantling the Toronto Raptors 69-37 on the break.

Prepare for some halftime scorching takes, buddy.

Photograph by Streeter Lecka/Getty Photos

Is Jordan Walsh prepared for some regular-season rotation minutes?

After a powerful exhibiting in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday, Jordan Walsh is wanting comfy as soon as once more. To this point in opposition to the Raptors, he’s tallied 12 factors and 6 rebounds on 5-7 taking pictures.

He even had a “LOUD” and-one dunk over Gradey Dick early on this one.

The second-year wing was one of the crucial thrilling tales heading into Boston’s Summer season League marketing campaign again in July. Sadly, he struggled all through the staff’s time in Las Vegas, inflicting many to query if he’d should spend extra time in Maine earlier than he was able to tackle some added duty in Boston’s rotation.

Walshy has proven confidence, poise, and flexibility by three-and-a-half preseason video games. His recreation is starting to resemble that of an power defender who can bury an occasional three, and at this level, that will be simply nice.

No one loves additional alternative fairly like Payton Pritchard

I imply, it’s like clockwork at this level. Payton Pritchard goes to offer buckets to whoever is standing in his method. He’s going to offer them much more buckets when the Celtics sit all of their starters.

The primary 24 minutes of this one are a primary instance of Quick PP’s bucket-getting means. He hung 19 on the Raps and it seemed easy.

Pritchard’s offensive explosion shouldn’t come as a shock. It appears any probability he’s given to exit and rating at will, he’s going to do it (apart from the ultimate minutes of Celtics vs. Kings again in April). There’s been numerous buzz surrounding him and doubtlessly getting his title into the NBA Sixth Man of the 12 months race.

That buzz is actually justified.

The Celtics are REALLY good or the Raptors are REALLY dangerous (or each)

Previous to tonight’s exhibition matchup, Head Coach Joe Mazzulla revealed that none of Boston’s starters (Luke Kornet included) can be taking part in.

Now, when that information dropped, I don’t assume anybody figured that they’d discover themselves up by as many as 35 factors earlier than the halftime break.

Particularly contemplating that three of the Raptors’ projected regular-season starters suited up.

Is Boston’s bench actually THIS good?

Perhaps.

They could even be a playoff staff within the Jap Convention.

Pritchard and Sam Hauser are respectable offensive threats in any NBA recreation, by no means thoughts within the preseason after they have the final word inexperienced mild. To not point out that Lonnie Walker IV is on the market taking part in for his NBA life and placing up numbers within the course of.

On the finish of the day, tonight’s recreation will depend for nothing. But when Boston’s rotation gamers are capable of carry this momentum into the common season, then the league is in hassle.