Sixers (0-0) at Celtics (0-0) Preseason Game 1 10/6/14

[FLCeltsFan]

at
Philadelphia 76ers (0-0) at Boston Celtics (0-0)
Monday, October 6, 2014
7:30 PM ET
Preseason Game #1
TV:  CSN HD, TCN-Phi
Radio:  98.5 Sports Hub
TD Garden




Point Guards

Phil Pressey, Marcus Smart,  Rajon Rondo

Shooting Guards

Avery Bradley, Marcus Thornton, Rodney McGruder, Tim Frazier

Small Forwards

Jeff Green, Gerald Wallace, James Young, Evan Turner

Power Forwards

Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Brandon Bass, Erik Murphy, Dwight Powell, Christian Watford

Centers

Tyler Zeller, Vitor Faverani, Joel Anthony

Injuries
Rajon Rondo (hand) out
Vitor Faverani (knee) day to day

Possible Starters

Marcus Smart, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Tyler Zeller





Point Guards

Michael Carter Williams, Tony Wroten, Casper Ware

Shooting Guards
]
Elliot Williams, Alexy Shved, Keith Bogans

Small Forwards

Hollis Thompson, Chris Johnson, Luc Mbah a Moute, Jerami Grant, Jakarr Sampson, Ronald Roberts, Jason Richardson

Power Forwards

Arnett Moultrie, Brandon Davies, Nerlens Noel

Centers

Henry Sims, Jarvis Varnado, Joel Embiid

Injuries
Joel Embiid  (back) doubtful
Jason Richardson (knee) doubtful
Michael Carter Williams (shoulder) day to day

Possible Starters

Tony Wroten, Elliot Williams, Hollis Thompson, Arnett Moultrie, Henry Sims

Game Notes
The first game of the season is a tough one to predict. There are battles for just about every position and it's anyone's guess who will win those battles to start the first game. The Celtics are very versatile in that most of the players can play 2 or even 3 positions. Brad Stevens has talked about Evan Turner playing the point and we could see him there, or at the 2, or at the 3. Since the preseason is all about experimenting, especially early, it's hard to know who will start, or even who will play, in the first game.  I've posted my best guess on the starting lineups. 

The Sixers have tanking written all over them so it's even tougher to predict who they will start or play. It's interesting to see that they have 3 former Celtics on their team: Keith Bogans, Chris Johnson and Jarvis Varnado.   Chris Johnson can play and I hope he does well there and makes the team.   It will be interesting to see if Bogans gets any playing time. 

Keys to the Game
Run and Defend
Brad Stevens has stressed the fact that he wants the Celtics to run more this season and hopefully we will see that in this game.  He also said that he wants the team to play tougher defense and I'd love to see the team follow through with that. 

[mgent]

LOL at all the PFs.

For once, I'll hope Monday comes quickly.

[hwangjini_1]

can it be??

is it true??

are my eyes deceiving me??

YES!!! the first game thread of the new season!  a tp as ever flc. i have soooo much missed these threads. thank you once more for creating another one.

edit: goooooooo celtics!!!!

[Vox_Populi]

Can't wait to read Chief's commentary.

[Tr1boy]

man it's taking a lifetime for even a 1st preseason to get started

Dying to see what some of these guys can do individually and as a group.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Forgive us Chris Johnson, for we know not what we did. Lol. Anyway as for Bold Predictions. Phil Pressey hits more than half his FGAs and gets 0 turnovers, Marcus Thornton leads in scoring, and Joel Anthony leads in blocks.

[azzenfrost]

Really missed this.

[FLCeltsFan]

Just saw that this game will be on NBA-TV tonight also. 

[fairweatherfan]

TP FL!  Great to have games again.  I know preseason performances mean basically nothing but I look forward to pretending that they do anyway.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Who's pumped?

I'm pumped.

[Csfan1984]

I'm pumped. Preseason it's where garbage time is all the time.

[slamtheking]

TP FL!!  missed your write-ups for almost 6 months.  can't take waiting another 6 hours til game time

[furball]

Just FYI apparently Vitor and Jeff Green have been rules out for tonight.  No word on Smart yet. 

[hpantazo]

Just FYI apparently Vitor and Jeff Green have been rules out for tonight.  No word on Smart yet.

So lots of Evan Turner tonight? I hope we see how he works with Sullinger, KO and Zeller.

[sofutomygaha]

I'm pumped. Preseason it's where garbage time is all the time.

Tonight will be even better than a regular season game because in preseason there's no penalty for trying to win! =)