Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 7, 2017 20:54:24 GMT -5
at 
Philadelphia 76ers (0-2) at Boston Celtics (2-0)
Preseason Game [HASH]3, Home Game [HASH]2
Monday, October 9, 2017
7:30 PM ET
TV: NBCSB, NBCSPA, NBA-LP 753(DTV)/752 (Xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.5 The Fanatic
TD Garden
Probable Starters
PG Kyrie Irving........... SG: Jaylen Brown
C: Al Horford
SF: Gordon Hayward .............. PF: Jayson Tatum
Celtics Reserves
Kadeem Allen
Jabari Bird
Jonathan Holmes
Shane Larkin
Marcus Morris
Abdel Nader
Semi Ojeleye
LJ Peak
Terry Rozier
Marcus Smart
Jayson Tatum
Daniel Theis
Andrew White
Guerschon Yabusele
Injuries
None
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
Probable Starters
PG: Markelle Fultz ................. SG: JJ Redick
C: Richaun Holmes
SF: Robert Covington .............. PF: Ben Simmons
Sixers Reserves
Justin Anderson
Jerryd Bayless
James Blackmon, Jr
Kris Humphries
Furkan Korkmaz
James Michael McAdoo
TJ McConnell
Emeka Okafor
Jahlil Okafor
Jacob Pullen
Nik Stauskas
Amir Johnson
Injuries
Timothe Luwawu Cabarrot (knee) day to day
Joel Embiid (knee) day to day
Dario Saric (rest) day to day
Markelle Fultz (shoulder) day to day
Coach
Brett Brown
Game Notes
The Celtics and Sixers meet for the second time this preseason, this time in Boston. In their first meeting, the Celtics came out on top after the Sixers put up a good fight and stayed with them for much of the game. The important thing is that the Celtics showed some improvement and look to be building chemistry on both the first and second units.
I listed the same starters for this game as for Friday's game, but it's the preseason and it's difficult to predict the starters since coaches like to experiment with different lineups. The Celtics could go back to Baynes in the starting lineup or they could move Marcus Morris into the starting lineup at power forward. Or, they could start the same group they did in Philadelphia on Friday.
Markelle Fultz missed the game on Friday with shoulder soreness and could be back for this game or he could possibly miss this game as well. Embiid and Luwawu both participated in 5 on 5 drills in practice and may see some minutes in this game or they may be cautious and keep them out once again. Saric has been resting after playing all summer in Eurobasket and may return as well.
Key Matchups
vs Kyrie Irving vs Markelle Fultz
We didn't get to see this matchup because Fultz was out on Friday with a sore shoulder. Although Ben Simmons does most of the ball handling and runs the offense when he is in the game, Fultz will likely be covering Kyrie. Fultz disappointed in his first game with the Sixers, struggling with fatigue when he was the primary ball handler and had just 4 points on 2-13 shooting with 3 assists. Hopefully we will see him in this one.
vs Jason Tatum vs Ben Simmons
It will be interesting to see if the Celtics start Tatum again in this game. If so, his defense will be tested as he tries to stop Simmons, who will be initiating the offense for the most part, unless the Sixers decide to end the point forward experiment. Tatum needs to make Simmons shoot from outside and keep him out of the paint.
Honorable Mention
Jayson Tatum vs Markelle Fultz
These two players won't be matched up against each other in the game for the most part, but they are always going to be compared. When Danny Ainge traded the [HASH]1 pick for the [HASH]3 pick and passed on Fultz, who was the consensus top pick, in order to take Tatum, it assured the fact that these two players will be scrutinized and compared for the rest of their careers.
Keys to the Game
Defense - The Celtics' defense was better than expected in their first game against the Hornets. They have the potential to be a very good defensive team and they need to work hard to live up to that potential. Defense wins games, even in the preseason. The Celtics were able to force 24 turnovers in the first game and they need to be tenacious in this game as well.
Be Aggressive - The Celtics have to be the more aggressive team and go after all the loose balls, and aggressively go after rebounds, and be aggressive on defense. They also have to be aggressive in taking the ball into the paint. The more aggressive team will usually get the benefit of the whistles. The Celtics have been aggressive so far and that has helped them to win both games. The play of the game was Marcus Smart fighting for a steal and winning. The Sixers announcers said that Marcus would chew your arm off to get the ball. The entire team needs to play that way.
Move the Ball - The Celtics had beautiful ball movement in their first game and they need to work at doing the same in this game. Hero ball rarely wins games and so they have to consistently move the ball and play together. If they build those habits in the preseason, it will make them that much tougher to beat when the games count. It would be nice to see the second unit develop that same ball movement.
Focus - The Celtics have to be careful not to let up because they beat the Sixers just a few days ago. The Sixers will be looking to avenge that loss and will come out strong and the Celtics need to be ready for that.
X-Factors
It's Preseason - Winning isn't always the top priority in preseason games. Coaches are going to experiment with lineups and try to sit their stars as much as possible to avoid injury before the season. So, we need to enjoy watching them play and be glad that real basketball is almost back.
Who is Playing - In the first meeting between these two teams, the Sixers were missing several key players. Embiid and Luwawu are both close to returning from injury and Fultz should be back from sitting out one game with shoulder soreness. Also, Saric was healthy but sitting out for rest. Also, Marcus Morris wasn't ready to play for the Celtics after joining the team the day before. If any or all of these players can play in this one, it may make a big difference.
