It was business as usual for the Celtics this preseason.
They played efficient basketball, showcased their depth and looked like a team ready to run it back. We’ll let the one-point loss to the Raptors slide.
Here are five things we learned over the course of five games:
1) Don’t expect a championship hangover.
The Celtics will get every team’s best this season, but if the preseason is any indication, they’ll be ready for it.
It’s important to not put too much stock into the minutiae of these games (though we will, anyway), but I do think the overall product can oftentimes serve as a precursor for what’s to come.
The Celtics outscored their opponents 609-526, which speaks for itself. Regardless of who was out there for either side, the standard was unchanged, and the product looked familiar. They’re locked in, and they’re ready to do it again.
2) Payton Pritchard is ready for a bigger role.
Last year, Pritchard averaged 22.3 minutes a night and provided 9.6 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2. rebounds per game. It wouldn’t surprise me all four of those numbers increased this season. I’d guess something around 25 minutes, 12 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.
Pritchard is out there in close games, out there in blowouts and out there for everything in between. He could be in the running for Sixth Man of the Year if everything goes according to plan.
3) They should be just fine at center.
Most teams would struggle immensely with a player of Kristaps Porzingis’ caliber out and one of Al Horford’s caliber only playing some games.
As they’ve made abundantly clear, the Celtics are not most teams. Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman Sr. are both prepared for added responsibility. They complement each other perfectly and also complement the Celtics’ personnel perfectly.
Kornet looks more comfortable finishing at the rim, and Tillman looks more comfortable stroking it from distance. Expect both to play, and to play well the vast majority of nights.
4) They could set the record for most 3-pointers attempted in a season.
Last season, the Celtics attempted by far the most 3-pointers in the league at 3,482 (42.5 per game), and they still managed to post the second-best 3-point percentage at 38.9.
In the preseason this year, they attempted 52.6 per game, which was by far the most of any team in the league. Next closest was the Bulls at 47.3.
The 2018-19 Houston Rockets have the most 3-point attempts per game in NBA history at 45.4. Don’t be stunned if the Celtics break that mark this year. They have the personnel to do it, a coach who believes in the concept and a style of play that organically yields a whole lot of 3’s.
5) A few roster spots are up for grabs.
So, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet and Xavier Tillman are all locks. That’s 10 right there.
The way I’d personally do the final five is: Neemias Queta, Lonnie Walker IV, Jaden Springer, Jordan Walsh and JD Davison. Drew Peterson and Baylor Scheierman have shown some signs, but I think another year primarily in the G-League would benefit both.
Walsh is ready to make the jump and contribute periodically, and I think Davison would benefit more from being around NBA stars than dominating in Maine.
