Boston Celtics Game Previews: October 24 - October 30
Boston Celtics Game Previews: October 24 - October 30
Written by Dustin Lewis (@Dussttin) on 26 October 2016
Written by Dustin Lewis
(@Dussttin) on 26 October 2016
Boston Celtics game previews between October 24 and October 30, including games against Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls.
Boston Celtics game previews between October 24 and October 30, including games against Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls.
Boston Celtics game previews between October 24 and October 30, including games against Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls.
Basketball that matters is finally back, and the Boston Celtics will take on three different opponents in their first week of the season. Despite the excitement surrounding the potential success this group could have, the Celtics will be without key contributors Marcus Smart (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) to open the season.
Thankfully, the talent on this team should be able to prevail in their absence.
Brooklyn Nets
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home
The Celtics will officially open their season at home against the Nets. Brooklyn amassed a 1-5 record during the preseason and is the most likely choice to be the worst team in the league. The Nets are definitely more of a threat to teams after signing PG Jeremy Lin in the offseason and hiring Kenny Atkinson as Head Coach.
Honestly, this is the kind of team that the Celtics need to be able to defeat consistently. With the maturity of current players, and the addition of Al Horford during the summer, I believe the Celtics will come out with a sense of urgency and passion despite the competition.
Prediction: Celtics by 12+
Chicago Bulls
Thursday, 27 October 2016 at 08:00 PM ET Away
After a quick opening game against the Nets, the Celtics will travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls the following night. This will be Boston's first chance to get a look at the trio of Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler, and Dwyane Wade that the Bulls formed this summer.
The Bulls have put together a team with limited spacing, and Boston should take advantage of that on defense. They will be able to put more focus on the interior rather than the outside because of Chicago's lack of an elite shooting presence.
Look for Al Horford to have a good game, as the Bulls also don't have a big man that should be able to stop him.
Prediction: Celtics by 5+
Charlotte Hornets
Saturday, 29 October 2016 at 07:00 PM ET Away
In their third and final game of the first week of the NBA regular season, Boston will take on Charlotte. The Celtics dominated this matchup (107-92 and 104-86) during the preseason, and I'm expecting the same thing this time.
It was obvious during the exhibitions that the quality of ball movement and defense Boston displayed is going to cause a lot of issues for teams across the league. Every player on the court wants to win, and are focused on the team's performance instead of themselves.
Once again, expect Horford to have a good game against the defense of Roy Hibbert and Frank Kaminsky.
Prediction: Celtics by 10+
Boston Celtics game previews between October 24 and October 30, including games against Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls.
Basketball that matters is finally back, and the Boston Celtics will take on three different opponents in their first week of the season. Despite the excitement surrounding the potential success this group could have, the Celtics will be without key contributors Marcus Smart (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) to open the season.
Thankfully, the talent on this team should be able to prevail in their absence.
Brooklyn Nets
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 at 07:30 PM ET Home
The Celtics will officially open their season at home against the Nets. Brooklyn amassed a 1-5 record during the preseason and is the most likely choice to be the worst team in the league. The Nets are definitely more of a threat to teams after signing PG Jeremy Lin in the offseason and hiring Kenny Atkinson as Head Coach.
Honestly, this is the kind of team that the Celtics need to be able to defeat consistently. With the maturity of current players, and the addition of Al Horford during the summer, I believe the Celtics will come out with a sense of urgency and passion despite the competition.
Prediction: Celtics by 12+
Chicago Bulls
Thursday, 27 October 2016 at 08:00 PM ET Away
After a quick opening game against the Nets, the Celtics will travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls the following night. This will be Boston's first chance to get a look at the trio of Rajon Rondo, Jimmy Butler, and Dwyane Wade that the Bulls formed this summer.
The Bulls have put together a team with limited spacing, and Boston should take advantage of that on defense. They will be able to put more focus on the interior rather than the outside because of Chicago's lack of an elite shooting presence.
Look for Al Horford to have a good game, as the Bulls also don't have a big man that should be able to stop him.
Prediction: Celtics by 5+
Charlotte Hornets
Saturday, 29 October 2016 at 07:00 PM ET Away
In their third and final game of the first week of the NBA regular season, Boston will take on Charlotte. The Celtics dominated this matchup (107-92 and 104-86) during the preseason, and I'm expecting the same thing this time.
It was obvious during the exhibitions that the quality of ball movement and defense Boston displayed is going to cause a lot of issues for teams across the league. Every player on the court wants to win, and are focused on the team's performance instead of themselves.
Once again, expect Horford to have a good game against the defense of Roy Hibbert and Frank Kaminsky.
Prediction: Celtics by 10+