The Boston Celtics began their four preseason tilts with a bang, defeating the Charlotte Hornets, 134-93, at home. The defending Eastern Conference champions made it look easy Sunday afternoon, delivering new interim head coach Joe Mazzulla his first win.
Boston is running it back with almost exactly the same core, so what we can learn from the preseason is limited. However, the Celtics’ big man rotation is far from a settled, and a few new prospective big men are being integrated this preseason.
With the regular season rapidly approaching, check out the keys to the game from Boston’s first postseason tilt.
Boston’s Mfiondu Kabengele credits Al Horford for help expanding his game https://t.co/fC3dfGl752
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 2, 2022
Jaylen Brown set the tone early
Jaylen Brown picked up right where he left off last spring, setting the tone early with a bit of tenacity. Brown attacked with real gusto rather than over-dribbling and finished with 24 points on a tidy eight of eleven shooting in just 24 minutes of action.
Jayson Tatum didn’t look quite as crisp as Brown did. He wasn’t as quick to find his shot and coughed up four turnovers in the first half. Tatum finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and he connected with Brown on this excellent highlight.
Boston Celtics interim coach Joe Mazzulla is leaning into the unknown this preseason. https://t.co/xwGqZP7Rr1
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 2, 2022
Keep an eye on Mfiondu Kabengele
Thanks to injuries suffered by both Robert Williams and Luke Kornet, Boston’s big man rotation will be especially interesting in the early part of the regular season. The club brought in Blake Griffin presumably to shore up the frontline, but this preseason will also be a chance for a few other bigs to try and curry favor with Boston’s coaching staff.
Veteran Noah Vonleh was the first big off the bench for the Celtics, and immediately made an impact. At 6 feet, 9 inches he’s a little undersized, but he compensated Sunday afternoon with smart rotations and by doing his job. He finished with five points and nine rebounds in 13 minutes.
Mfiondu Kabengele, however, stole the show in the second half. He brought immense energy and physicality, on top of some pretty smooth playmaking. The former first-round pick turned in 10 points and three rebounds.
At one stretch late in the second quarter, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart served as Boston’s de facto big men. It looks as if coach Mazzulla really is using this preseason period to see what sticks.
‘I’ve got a lot of great people around me that help,’ says Boston Celtics’ Joe Mazzula on transition to interim coach https://t.co/YCSM4qKX3W
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 2, 2022
Brogdon is as good as advertised
Newcomer Malcolm Brogdon made an immediate impact Sunday. He seemed to fully lean in to his responsibilities as an offensive quarterback, especially with the second unit. In his 24 minutes of play, the former Virginia player notched nine assists.
Brogdon was especially helpful at elevating some the bench guys, and he seemed to know when to call his own number and when to spread the love. He turned in 11 points and five rebounds to compliment his playmaking.
The Celtics started with Marcus Smart and Derrick White on the floor alongside Brown, Tatum and Horford. Smart is the presumptive point guard for this team, but Brogdon may handle a big portion of the ball-handling duties. When he does share the court with other play-making guards, though, Brogdon should have a chance to attack more as a scorer as well.
Boston’s newest floor general is excited to get on the floor with his new team. https://t.co/yr4bMVHEtY
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 2, 2022
Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
