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Boston Celtics (3-0) at Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2)
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
7:00 PM ET
Preseason Game #4, Road Game #2
TV: NBCSB, FSO, NBA-LP 751(DTV), 751(xfinity)
Radio: 98.5, Sports Hub, WMMS 100.7, WTAM 1100
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Probable Starters 
PG: Brad Wannamaker ...................................... SG: Carsen Edwards
C: Robert Williams III
SF: Semi Ojeleye ............................................ PF: Grant Williams
Celtics ReservesTacko Fall
Kaiser Gates
Javonte Green
Yante Maten
Vincent Poirier
Max Strus
Tremont Waters
Injury ReportRomeo Langford (knee sprain) out
Jason Tatum (illness) out
Marcus Smart (rest) out
Daniel Theis (rest) out
Jaylen Brown (rest) out
Gordon Hayward (rest) out
Enes Kanter (rest) out
Kemba Walker (rest) out
Brad Wannamaker (hamstring soreness) probable
Carsen Edwards (hip contusion) probable
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters 
PG: Collin Sexton ................ SG: Matthew Dellavedova
C: Jarell Martin
SF: Cedi Osman ................. PF: Larry Nance, Jr
Cavaliers ReservesKevin Porter, Jr
Jordan Clarkson
Brandon Knight
Marques Bolden
Darius Garland
Dean Wade
Daniel Hamilton
Timothe Luawawu-Cabarrot
Sindarius Thornwell
JP Macura
Injury ReportJohn Henson (groin) out
Dylan Windler (leg) out
Ante Zizic (foot) doubtful
Kevin Love (rest) questionable
Head CoachJohn Beilein
Game Notes The Celtics and Cavaliers clash for the second time in 3 days in a preseason home and home series. The Celtics dominated the first game with a 118-72 win at the TD Garden. These two teams will meet an additional 4 times in the regular season with the next one coming on November 5. They will also clash on December 9, December 27, and March 4.
The Celtics game notes list Wannamaker, Edwards, Ojeleye, G Williams, and R Williams as the starters. In addition, the game notes list Brown, Hayward, Kanter, Smart, Theis, and Walker out for rest. Tatum is out with and illness and did not travel with the team. Langford is out with a sprained knee but was expected to travel with the team. Edwards and Wannamaker are both listed as probable and are expected to start.
The Cavaliers list John Henson out with a groin injury and Dylan Windler out with a leg injury. Ante Zizic is listed as doubtful with a foot injury and Kevin Love is questionable for rest. The starters are listed as Sexton, Dellavedova, Osman, Nance, and Martin. Of course, as always in the preseason, things may change.
Key Matchups vs
Brad Wannamaker vs Collin Sexton
One of the key parts of the trade that brought Kyrie from the Cavs to the Celtics was the Nets draft pick. That pick became Collin Sexton. Sexton is averaging 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. He is shooting just 35.7% from the field, though. Brad Wannamaker is not flashy, but generally plays in control and doesn't make a lot of mistakes.
vs
Grant Williams vs Larry Nance, Jr
Nance has been playing pretty well and is averaging 10.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in the preseason. Williams isn't a flashy player but plays under control and usually makes the right play. It will be fun to see what he can do with extended minutes.
Keys to the Game Defense As always, defense is the key to every single game, whether preseason, regular season, or post season. The Celtics' defense has looked pretty good in the last two games. The Celtics are allowing just 84.3 points and 36.5% opponents FG%. The Cavs are allowing 105.3 points per game and 47.8% field goal percentage. The Celtics MUST communicate and they have to play tough lock down defense both in the paint and on the perimeter. They can't let up and figure they can win just because it's just the Cavs. Defense is the key!!!!!
Rebound - Rebounding is second to defense in importance for the Celtics to get a win. Much of rebounding is effort and so the Celtics have to work hard to beat the Cavs to rebounds. The Celtics are averaging 49.7 rebounds per game while the Cavs are averaging 41.7 rebounds per game. The Celtics need to control the boards.
Move the Ball - The Celtics need to keep the ball moving and not try to do too much individually. The Celtics are averaging 25.3 assists per game and that is a good part of the reason that they have been successful. Hopefully the young players who will be getting much more playing time will be unselfish and keep the ball moving and not lapse into hero ball.
Preseason - The Cavs appear to be playing most of their regular players while the Celtics are sitting all of their starters and some key subs. Both coaches will be looking at players at the end of the bench and giving playing time to players who may or may not make the team. Hopefully the young guys will show what they are capable of and get the win.
X-FactorOn the Road - The Celtics are playing on the road and young players often struggle with their focus on the road. It will show a lot about their maturity if they can block out the distractions of playing on the road and the hostile crowd and focus on playing Celtics basketball.
Revenge Factor - The Cavs were embarrassed on Sunday and they are going to want to get even with the Celtics, especially with the odds a little more even due to the Celtics' starters and key subs sitting out. Expect them to come out and play hard and try to avenge Sunday's loss.
Topic: Celtics (3-0) at Cavaliers (1-2) Preseason Game #4 10/15/19 (Read 29162 times)