Post by FLCeltsFan on Oct 5, 2016 20:06:22 GMT -5
at 
Boston Celtics (0-0) at Charlotte Hornets (0-0)
Thursday, October 6, 2016
7:30 PM ET
Preseason Game [HASH]2
TV: CSN-NE
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub
Greensboro Colliseum, Greensboro, NC
Possible Starters
PG: Isaiah Thomas 4
SG: Avery Bradley 0
SF: Jae Crowder 99
PF: Amir Johnson 90
C: Al Horford 42
Probable Reserves
Ben Bentil 50
Jaylen Brown 7
Marcus Georges-Hunt 45
RJ Hunter 28
Demetrius Jackson 9
Jonas Jerebko 8
Jalen Jones 52
Damion Lee 56
Jordan Mickey 55
Terry Rozier 12
Marcus Smart 36
James Young 13
Tyler Zeller 44
Injuries
Gerald Green (hip flexor) out
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) out
Head Coach: Brad Stevens
Possible Starters
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Nicolas Batum
SF: Michael Kidd Gilchrist
PF: Marvin Williams
C: Roy Hibbert
Probable Reserves
Ramon Sessions
Frank Kaminsky
Spencer Hawes
Marco Belinelli
Andrew Andrews
Jeremy Lamb
Aaron Harrison
Christian Wood
Rasheed Sulaimon
Perry Ellis
Treveon Graham
Injuries
Brian Roberts (hamstring) day to day
Mike Tobey (hamstring) questionable
Cody Zeller (knee) day to day
Head Coach
Steve Clifford
Game Notes
The Celtics and Hornets are both looking for their first preseason win. The Hornets lost to the Mavericks 95-88 in their first preseason game on Monday. The Celtics lost to the Sixers 92-89 in their first preseason action. These same two teams will face off again on Saturday at the Mohecan Sun in Connecticut.
Kemba Walker is expected to return after missing time with a knee injury. He returned to full practice on Saturday and is expected to play in this game. Ramon Sessions started their first game and would probably start this game if Kemba has a setback. Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) and Gerald Green are both expected to miss this game for the Celtics.
The Celtics starters got off to a fast start against the Sixers and looked very good but the reserves couldn't keep the lead and struggled on both ends of the court. Hopefully both units can put it together for a complete game in this one.
Key Matchups
vs Isaiah Thomas vs Kemba Walker
Walker is coming back from a knee injury that kept him out of the first game and will be looking to get back on track with a win. Isaiah will be ready to give him a challenge and will be looking to lead the Celtics to their first win.
vs Al Horford vs Roy Hibbert
Horford will be challenged by the 7'2" Hibbert but his quickness and ability to run the floor should give him an advantage against the somewhat soft Hibbert.
Keys to the Game
Something in Reserve - The Celtics starters played like a well oiled machine on Tuesday, but the reserves struggled to hit their shots and also struggled on defense. They need to play more as a unit and step up their game on both ends of the floor.
On the Rebound - The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball. They were out-rebounded 46-42 by the Sixers and need to put more effort into crashing the boards.
Be Offensive - The Celtics shot just 40% from the field and 27% from beyond the arc. They simply must shoot better than that if they want to get a win in this game.
Be On the Defense - Defense wins games. The Celtics have the players to be a top defensive team and they have to put it all together and defend as a team.
X Factors
Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, and Jaylen Brown - These three players have to find their offense and develop chemistry. If they do, look out!
