vs
Boston Celtics (0,0) vs Philadelphia 76ers (0,0)
Wednesday, October 8
Mullins Center, UMass
Amhurst, Massachusetts
7:00 PM ETProbable Starters Rajon Rondo/Ray Allen/Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett/Leon Powe
The Bench Tony Allen
Glen Davis
JR Giddens
Eddie House
Darius Miles
Patrick O'Bryant
Gabe Pruitt
Brian Scalabrine
Bill Walker
Kendrick Perkins (injured)
Sam Cassell (to be signed)
Probable Starters Andre Miller/Willie Green/Andre Iguodala/Elton Brand/Samuel Dalembert
The BenchReggie Evans
Herbert Hill
Royal Ivey
Donyell Marshall
Theo Ratliff
Kareem Rush
Jason Smith (injured)
Marreese Speights
Louis Williams
Thaddeus Young
Maureece Rice
Antywane Robinson
Andre Emmett
Jared Reiner
Justin Reed
Notes: Celtics come into the preseason with 16 players if Sam Cassell is signed while the Sixers have 20 on their training camp roster.
The Sixers have two former Celtics in Theo Ratliff (Yes, he is still alive) and Justin Reed. Justin is a good defender and a nice kid. I hope he catches on with some team although it is a long shot that it will be the Sixers who will have to cut at least 5 players before the season starts.
The Sixers will be a better team than they were last year with Elton Brand in their starting lineup and they are being picked by many of the experts to give the Celtics a run for the Atlantic division title.
We can't take much from a preseason game as coaches try to limit starters minutes and play their benches while looking at players to see who will stick and who will be cut. Expect Doc to give a long look at Darius Miles, Patrick O'Bryant, Gabe Pruitt, JR Giddens and Bill Walker to see what they can give the team. We will probably also see a lot of Tony Allen as Doc tries to give him some confidence in the preseason since he will be called on for a bigger role this season.