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Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« on: December 12, 2020, 11:27:31 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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Boston Celtics (0-0) at Philadelphia 76ers (0-0)
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
7:30 PM ET
Preseason Game #1
TV: TNT, NBCSB, NBCSP
Radio:  WBZ-FM, WPGN
Wells Fargo Center




Possible Celtics Starters
PG SG SF PF C
PG:  Jeff Teague
SG:  Marcus Smart
SF:  Jaylen Brown
PF:  Jayson Tatum
C:   Daniel Theis

Celtics Reserves
Carsen Edwards
Tacko Fall  (2 Way)
Javonte Green
Amile Jefferson
Aaron Nesmith
Semi Ojeleye
Tremont Waters (2 Way)
Grant Williams
Robert Williams III

Injuries
Romeo Langford (wrist) out
Payton Pritchard (finger) day to day
Tristan Thompson (hamstring) out
Kemba Walker (knee) out

Head Coach

Brad Stevens




Possible 76ers Starters
PG SG SF PF C
PG:  Seth Curry
SG:  Danny Green
SF:  Ben Simmons
PF:  Tobias Harris
C:   Joel Embiid

76ers Reserves
Justin Anderson
Tony Bradley
Ryan Brockhoff
Lamine Diane
Terrance Ferguson
Dwight Howard
Isaiah Joe
Furkan Korkmaz
Dakota Matthias  (2 Way)
Tyrese Maxey
Shake Milton
Paul Reed  (2 Way)
Mike Scott
Matisse Thybulle
Derrick Walton, Jr. 

Injuries

None listed

Head Coach
Doc Rivers

Game Notes
This is the first preseason game for both of these teams.  The Celtics and Sixers last met in the first round of the playoffs in the bubble, where the Celtics swept the Sixers.  Both teams are changed since last season with the biggest change being that former Celtics coach Doc Rivers has taken over as head coach of the Sixers in place of Brett Brown. 

Doc has said that he plans for the Sixers to increase their pace this season and also to run more pick and rolls. He also said he plans to improve their defense.  He plans to use Simmons as a point forward and the offense will still run through him.  Simmons will also guard the opponent's top wing every night. 

Tobias Harris struggled somewhat in Brett Brown's system but he played much better in Doc Rivers' system when both were with the Clippers.   The Sixers offense often was stagnant last season but they have added a couple of shooters in Danny Green and Seth Curry, which should help with some of their offensive woes from last season. 

The 76ers have added Dwight Howard, Seth Curry, Danny Green, Tony Bradley,  Terrance Ferguson, and former Celtic Vincent Poirier.  They have also added first round pick, Tyrese Maxey.   Gone from the 76ers are former Celtic Al Horford, Josh Richardson, Raul Neto, and Zhaire Smith.

The Celtics lost Gordon Hayward, Enes Kanter and Brad Wanamaker, all of whom were key members of the rotation last season.  They also parted ways with Vincent Poirier, who played very little.  They have added Tristan Thoompson and Jeff Teague, both of whom fill definite needs for the team.  Also added are draft picks Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith, both of whom have gotten positive reviews for their performances in training camp so far. 

As with any preseason game, it's very hard to predict the starting lineups or the rotations.  The ones I've listed are just a best guess from reading previews.  It is especially hard to predict with all the injuries the Celtics have been dealing with.  Both teams have camp invites including Amile Jefferson for the Celtics and Justin Anderson, Ryan Broekhoff, and Derrick Walton, Jr for the Sixers.


The Sixers dealt with injuries early but going into the first game, have no injuries listed.  Thybulle missed part of camp with an ankle injury but was back at practice last week.  Danny Green was unable to practice with the team until December 8 when the trade was completed.   Maxey and Scott also first practiced on 12/8 due to positive covid tests. 

Key Matchups
vs
Jaylen Brown vs Ben Simmons
Jaylen has grown as a player from year to year and I expect he will continue that growth this season.  The big question is whether Simmons will ever shoot 3 pointers. 
Simmons is coming back from an injury that kept him out of the playoffs last season and will likely be working his way back into game shape. 

vs
Daniel Theis vs Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is always a key matchup for any opponent.  Assuming that Daniel Theis is the starter for the Celtics, he will have his hands full with trying to guard Embiid.  Daniel Theis had off season knee surgery but is reportedly healthy and ready to go for this season. 

Keys to the Game
Find the Best Rotation - In the preseason, the key is to experiment with lineups and find the combinations that work best together.  We often see strange lineups as coaches experiment with their rotation and look for chemistry among their players. 

Watch New Players
- Often coaches give their rookies and new players and players who could be on the bubble of making the team extra minutes to see what they can do before the season begins.  We may see some Aaron Nesmith and Amile Jefferson as Brad looks to see what they can do.

Ease Into the Season - The last thing either team needs is an injury to a key player.  While the key players will get minutes,  I don't expect either coach to push their players big minutes and will try to ease them back into game shape and competition. 

X-Factors
Preseason - This is just the first preseason game for both teams and so I don't expect either team to push too hard.  It will likely be sloppy as all of the new players on both teams get used to playing with each other after a very short training camp. 

Rivalry - Regardless of whether it is the preseason, or the regular season, or the playoffs,  these two teams are rivals.  I expect the Sixers to want revenge for the sweep in the playoffs and the Celtics to want to prove that their playoff win wasn't a fluke because Simmons was out. It will probably still be sloppy, but I expect both teams to play hard. 
« Last Edit: December 14, 2020, 08:55:53 PM by FLCeltsFan »

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2020, 11:40:23 PM »

Offline Rondo9

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Get them!

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2020, 11:44:43 PM »

Offline FLCeltsFan

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TP to Rondo9    for being the first to post in the game thread!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Preseason Celtics!!!! 

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2020, 12:20:50 AM »

Offline gouki88

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The return of FL! Great to see a game thread again :)
'23 Historical Draft: Orlando Magic.

PG: Terry Porter (90-91) / Steve Francis (00-01)
SG: Joe Dumars (92-93) / Jeff Hornacek (91-92) / Jerry Stackhouse (00-01)
SF: Brandon Roy (08-09) / Walter Davis (78-79)
PF: Terry Cummings (84-85) / Paul Millsap (15-16)
C: Chris Webber (00-01) / Ralph Sampson (83-84) / Andrew Bogut (09-10)

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2020, 12:51:00 AM »

Offline hwangjini_1

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Game thread!!   Thanks flc and a tp.

Thhe season is close folks.

Goooooooooooooooooooo Celtics!   ;D
I believe Gandhi is the only person who knew about real democracy — not democracy as the right to go and buy what you want, but democracy as the responsibility to be accountable to everyone around you. Democracy begins with freedom from hunger, freedom from unemployment, freedom from fear, and freedom from hatred.
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Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2020, 01:21:41 AM »

Offline Somebody

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Let's go Celtics!
Jaylen Brown for All-NBA

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2020, 02:04:12 AM »

Online blink

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thanks FLCF!  TP
great to see a game thread again.  seems like longer than it probably has been.
go Celtics!

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2020, 02:56:36 AM »

Offline liam

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Wwwwwhhhooooooooooooo!!1!!!

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2020, 06:32:38 AM »

Offline RodyTur10

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Really excited to watch the team. My expectations are lower, but often Stevens is able to outperform expectations so that bodes well  ;D. I want to watch Pritchard and I want to see whether the Williams's have improved.

I'm hoping to see the offense going through our bigs a lot more. Theis, Timelord, G-Will are all capable to good post passers (and can hit midrange shots). Draw Embiid (or Howard) out of the paint and use cutters for easy finishes. We lack a bit in players who can drive and dish, so use other ways to create offense otherwise the game can become very ugly, especially when Tatum sits. Our biggest challenge this season is to expand the offensive system.

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2020, 08:39:38 AM »

Offline mobilija

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Let’s gooooooo!

Thank You FLCelts!

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #10 on: December 13, 2020, 09:17:23 AM »

Offline Silas

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Thanks FLCeltsFan!  I can't wait for this season to start.
I've lived through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened.   -  Mark Twain

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #11 on: December 13, 2020, 10:55:01 AM »

Offline Birdman

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Actually like to see how much Tacko Fall has improve, if any
C/PF-Horford, Baynes, Noel, Theis, Morris,
SF/SG- Tatum, Brown, Hayward, Smart, Semi, Clark
PG- Irving, Rozier, Larkin

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #12 on: December 13, 2020, 10:57:03 AM »

Offline Birdman

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Also like to see what Amile Jefferson got to give in the preseason..might be a keeper
C/PF-Horford, Baynes, Noel, Theis, Morris,
SF/SG- Tatum, Brown, Hayward, Smart, Semi, Clark
PG- Irving, Rozier, Larkin

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #13 on: December 13, 2020, 12:33:33 PM »

Offline slamtheking

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TP for the first thread of the pre-season.  excellent job as always FL!!

Re: Celtics (0-0) at 76ers (0-0) Preseason Game #1 12/15/20
« Reply #14 on: December 13, 2020, 12:40:37 PM »

Offline Kuberski33

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Pritchard's finger injury is an unfortunate setback as I'm guessing he'd have been in line for a decent look in this one. Instead we may get Edwards going 3 of 5 from beyond the arc and many here being convinced he's turned the corner.  ;D