THE Boston Celtics have dominated the 2023-24 season, however they’ve by no means received a victory towards the Denver Nuggets. In reality, the Nuggets have been the one staff the C’s did not beat in the complete league. Boston obtained its revenge in the course of the preseason, profitable 2-0 towards Denver within the Abu Dhabi NBA Video games.
On Friday, the Celtics performed their first sport collectively since profitable in June. They escaped with an in depth 107-103 victory over the Nuggets, who additionally received a latest title in 2023. A blowout adopted that shut contest, as Boston received 130-104 on Sunday and inflicted in Denver its first double-digit loss since Sport 6 of the Western Convention finals.
It is nonetheless preseason, so these wins do not imply a lot within the eyes of a championship contender just like the inexperienced staff. However there may be nonetheless quite a bit to study from these two releases. Let’s check out the Celtics’ journey to the Center East and current three takeaways from this profitable highway journey.
The Celtics should not afraid of the lengthy ball
It is no secret that the Celtics love 3-point pictures.
Final season, Boston averaged 42.5 deep makes an attempt per sportwhich was by far the best within the NBA. The Dallas Mavericks made the second-most triples per outing, however averaged 39.5 makes an attempt compared.
In Boston’s preseason debut, he exceeded his common with an absolute barrage from past the arc. The C’s tried 61 pictures past the perimeter, making 20 pictures. They’ve by no means tried 60 triples in a single sport within the common season or playoffs.
Whereas the preseason is not at all times a very good indicator of what is to come back within the common season, this emphasis on treys exhibits how the Celtics plan to remain aggressive from deep. Some have questioned their taking pictures regime in the course of the 2023-24 marketing campaign, however they’ve saved opposing defenses trustworthy and constructed a particularly potent offense with one of the best internet ranking within the Affiliation.
Sunday, the C’s did not shoot as many 3-pointers. However they nonetheless tried 47, nearly 5 greater than their common final season and 13 greater than the Nuggets’ output on this sport. The Celtics weren’t notably efficient with their 3-point pictures, changing simply 38.3 p.c of them within the 26-point victory. The sheer variety of makes an attempt, nonetheless, greater than made up for this, serving to Boston management the sport offensively.
The Celtics may make use of an identical technique all through the 2024-25 seasonhowever at a decrease frequency than pre-season.
Boston bench can present wanted increase
Like most groups, the Celtics are largely celebrated for his or her beginning 5 fairly than their bench. However that does not imply Boston’s bench cannot win video games.
Regardless that the C’s have been considered one of seven groups to submit fewer than 30 bench factors per sport final season, they profit drastically from their depth. This was demonstrated of their two preseason victories, as backup level guard. Payton Pritchard notched a game-high 21 factors Friday and had 14 factors in 16 minutes Sunday.
Boston’s 2020 first-round decide went from requesting a commerce in 2023 to taking half-court pictures within the 2024 NBA Finals on behalf of the Celtics. After final summer time’s exploits, he solidified himself as considered one of Boston’s greatest bench gamers, taking pictures 55 p.c from the sphere and 53.3 p.c from 3-point land in two preseason video games .
Sharpshooter Sam Hauser, who simply signed a four-year, $45 million contract extension, additionally impressed off the bench. Undrafted Celtic conceded all three of its 3-point makes an attempt Sunday and recorded 15 factors and eight rebounds in simply 16 minutes. At any time when Boston’s starters battle to attach, they will depend on Pritchard and Hauser to offer a spark in the course of the preseason and past.
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Relaxation stays a precedence for Al Horford
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla performed 16 guys on Sunday. Heart Al Horford was not amongst them, as he participated in each preparatory outings in Abu Dhabi.
The 38-year-old middle is getting into his 18th season within the league and can doubtless be a starter within the coming months. Kristaps Porzingis, the 2018 All-Star, suffered a uncommon ankle damage within the Finals and has no agency return date, making Horford the main candidate to interchange for the foreseeable future.
Final October, Horford appeared in Boston’s preseason debut, logging 21 minutes and 5 factors towards the Philadelphia 76ers. He appeared in three of his 5 preseason video games, however in all probability will not do the identical this yr. The Celtics play back-to-back video games on October 12 and 13, and Horford typically misses at the least one out in these two video games.
Boston is being very cautious with the veteran large as a result of they know he might be essential in the long term. Backup facilities Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Neemias Queta might also account for Porzingis’ absence, however none of them are confirmed NBA starters.
For now, Horford should step up as soon as once more and keep away from retiring for an additional yr. Do not be stunned if he does not see the sphere a lot for the remainder of the preseason.
