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After 2 video games in opposition to the Denver Nuggets in Abu Dhabi, the Celtics return to the TD Backyard to face the division rival Philadelphia 76ers. Whereas the Celtics stood pat within the off season, bringing again their similar core, the 76ers reworked their roster within the off season in hopes of catching up with the Celtics and hoping to lastly be capable to get out of the second spherical within the playoffs.
Gone are Tobias Harris, Buddy Hield, Nicolas Batum, De’Anthony Melton, Robert Covington, Paul Reed, Cameron Payne, and Mo Bamba. Additions to their roster embody Paul George, Caleb Martin, Guerschon Yabusele, Eric Gordon, Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, Jared McCain, and Adem Bona. They’re hoping that Paul George will type an enormous 3 with Maxey and Embiid to problem the Celtics for the title.
As with every preseason recreation, it’s troublesome to say who will certainly begin for each groups. I’m going to guess that the Celtics will persist with the identical 5 that began in opposition to the Nuggets since they haven’t performed since Sunday, October 6. Joe Mazzulla has stated that Al Horford will play in at the least 1 or 2 of the remaining preseason video games, however, since Luke Kornet has match nicely because the beginning heart, Horford could come off the bench if he performs.
The 76ers began Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Caleb Martin and Andre Drummond of their first recreation and changed Gordon with Paul George for his or her second recreation. They’re taking part in again to again video games having misplaced to the Timberwolves 121-111 in Iowa on Friday night time and so I doubt they are going to play him in again to again video games.
Additionally, since Philly’s starters all performed between 23 and 26 minutes on Friday, we in all probability received’t see them in any respect on this recreation. As well as, 76ers coach Nick Nurse has stated that many of the vets would relaxation on this recreation, though solely Embiid is listed on their damage checklist. It’s arduous to guess who will begin so I’ve listed the 2nd choice at every place on their depth chart. However, it’s solely a guess.
The Celtics have been 3-1 in opposition to the 76ers final season. They may play 4 instances this season starting with a Christmas Day conflict. They may also face one another on February 2, February 20, and March 6. The Celtics are 270-197 general all time in opposition to the 76ers and they’re 157-56 in video games performed in Boston.
The Celtics returned from Abu Dhabi with no new accidents. Kristaps Porzingis stays out for the Celtics as he rehabs from offseason surgical procedure on his ankle. Joel Embiid didn’t play in both of Philly’s video games up to now and is questionable for this one as they attempt to begin the season with him wholesome. Embiid is the one participant on the damage checklist however I’m not anticipating any of the starters from their final recreation to play.
Possible Celtics Starters
Celtics Reserves
Sam Hauser
Al Horford
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh
2 Method Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anton Watson
Coaching Camp Contracts
Ron Harper, Jr
Jay Scrubb
Dmytro Skapintsev
Lonnie Walker IV
Accidents/Out
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible 76ers Starters
Sixers Reserves
Adem Bona
Tyrese Maxey
Kelly Oubre, Jr
Caleb Martin
Andre Drummond
Paul George
Reggie Jackson
Jared McCain
Judah Mintz
2 Method Gamers
Jeff Dowtin, Jr
Justin Edwards
Lester Quinones
Coaching Camp Contracts
Max Fiedler
Isaiah Mobley
Jordan Tucker
Accidents/Out
Joel Embiid (relaxation) questionable
Head Coach
Nick Nurse
Key Matchups
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Jrue Vacation
Photograph by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
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Kyle lowry
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Jrue Vacation vs Kyle Lowry
With Maxey prone to sit out the second of again to again video games for Philly, I’m guessing that Kyle Lowry will begin, though, being one of many vets and an older participant, Reggie Jackson could get the beginning in Maxey’s place. On Friday, Lowry performed simply 8.5 minutes and completed with 3 factors, 3 rebounds and a couple of assists. He missed each of the photographs he took.
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Luke Kornet
Photograph by Adam Glanzman/Getty Photographs
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Guerschon Yabusele
Photograph by David Dow/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs
Luke Kornet vs Guerschon Yabusele
Andre Drummond began each of the 76ers video games up to now however since he performed 24 minutes on Friday, I doubt we’ll see him on this recreation. Luke Kornet began each video games for the Celtics and can doubtless begin this recreation however there’s an opportunity that Al Horford could get the beginning as nicely. Yabusele wasted no time in profiting from his second probability within the NBA. Within the first recreation in opposition to the Breakers, he was first off the bench and completed with 15 factors, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal whereas capturing 100% from the sector and 100% from past the arc. On Friday, he completed with 3 factors, 3 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal and 1 block in 11 minutes of play.
Honorable Point out
Jaylen Brown vs Ricky Council IV
As with the opposite starters, I’m simply guessing that Council will get the beginning. Over the primary 2 video games, he averaged 9 factors, 4.5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.5 steals whereas capturing 67% from the sector and 67% from past the arc. That is his 2nd season with the 76ers, with a stable first season underneath his belt.
Keys to the Sport
Protection – Protection will at all times be key to profitable each recreation, whether or not Summer season League, preseason, common season or playoffs. The Celtics received a championship final season as a result of they made protection a precedence. They must make protection their precedence for each possession of each recreation.
Rebound – Rebounding is second to protection as a key to profitable. It takes effort to get rebounds and the Celtics should go all out of their effort to beat the Sixers on the boards. The Celtics must hold the 76ers from getting further factors across the basket as that they had 20 2nd probability factors vs the Breakers. The Celtics additionally want to offer themselves further possessions by rebounding on the offensive finish. If the Celtics need to win this one, it’s essential that they go all out to crash the boards.
3 Level Capturing – The Celtics relied on capturing threes final season. They have been first within the league, taking 43.5 three pointers per recreation. They have been additionally 1st within the league, making 16.5 threes a recreation. Over their 2 video games in opposition to the Nuggets, the Celtics tried a whopping 54 threes per recreation and made 35% of them. When the Celtics are making their 3’s they’re arduous to beat, however after they wrestle to make 3’s, the sport will get actually ugly.
Chemistry – The Celtics are returning mainly the identical workforce that received the championship final season. The 76ers, alternatively, misplaced 8 gamers from final season and changed them with 8 new gamers. It could take them awhile to construct chemistry with all the brand new faces, whereas the Celtics ought to be capable to choose up the place they left off final season.
X-Elements
Residence Sport – The Celtics return to the Backyard for the primary time since they received the Championship there final season. The Backyard ought to be rocking and the Celtics ought to draw motivation from their followers.
It’s the Preseason – Participant improvement, constructing chemistry, and participant analysis are crucial factor for coaches within the preseason. We are going to in all probability see extra of the rookies on this recreation in addition to the gamers on camp contracts as coaches consider the gamers on the bubble for taking part in time and attempt to protect their starters for the common season.
Officiating – I do know that I say this each recreation, however the officiating can at all times be an x-factor even within the preseason. Each crew calls the sport in another way whether or not they name each little ticky tack foul or they let a whole lot of contact go and let the groups play. The refs are of their preseason additionally, so it’s arduous to understand how they are going to name this one. The Celtics have gotten to regulate to the best way the sport is being known as and never let the calls have an effect on their focus or their play.
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