Celtics (0-1) at Hornets (0-1) Preseason Game #2 10/6/16

[FLCeltsFan]

  at 
Boston Celtics (0-0) at Charlotte Hornets  (0-0)
Thursday,  October 6, 2016
7:30 PM ET
Preseason Game #2
TV: CSN-NE
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub
Greensboro Colliseum,  Greensboro, NC



Possible Starters

PG: Isaiah Thomas 4
SG:  Avery Bradley 0
SF:  Jae Crowder 99
PF:  Al Horford  42
C:   Amir Johnson 90

Probable Reserves
Ben Bentil 50
Jaylen Brown 7
Marcus Georges-Hunt  45
RJ Hunter  28
Demetrius Jackson  9
Jonas Jerebko  8
Jalen Jones  52
Damion Lee 56
Jordan Mickey  55
Terry Rozier  12
Marcus Smart 36
James Young 13
Tyler Zeller 44

Injuries
Gerald Green  (hip flexor)  out
Kelly Olynyk  (shoulder)  out

Head Coach:  Brad Stevens 




Possible Starters

PG:  Kemba Walker
SG:  Nicolas Batum
SF:  Michael Kidd Gilchrist
PF:  Marvin Williams
C:  Roy Hibbert

Probable Reserves
Ramon Sessions
Frank Kaminsky
Spencer Hawes
Marco Belinelli
Andrew Andrews
Jeremy Lamb
Aaron Harrison
Christian Wood
Rasheed Sulaimon
Perry Ellis
Treveon Graham

Injuries
Brian Roberts  (hamstring) day to day
Mike Tobey  (hamstring)  questionable
Cody Zeller (knee)  day to day

Head Coach
Steve Clifford

Game Notes
The Celtics and Hornets are both looking for their first preseason win.   The Hornets lost to the Mavericks 95-88 in their first preseason game on Monday.  The Celtics lost to the Sixers 92-89 in their first preseason action.  These same two teams will face off again on Saturday at the Mohecan Sun in Connecticut. 

Kemba Walker is expected to return after missing time with a knee injury.  He returned to full practice on Saturday and is expected to play in this game.  Ramon Sessions started their first game and would probably start this game if Kemba has a setback.  Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) and Gerald Green are both expected to miss this game for the Celtics. 

The Celtics starters got off to a fast start against the Sixers and looked very good but the reserves couldn't keep the lead and struggled on both ends of the court.  Hopefully both units can put it together for a complete game in this one. 

Key Matchups
vs
Isaiah Thomas vs Kemba Walker
Walker is coming back from a knee injury that kept him out of the first game and will be looking to get back on track with a win.  Isaiah will be ready to give him a challenge and will be looking to lead the Celtics to their first win. 

  vs 
Amir Johnson vs Roy Hibbert
Johnson will be challenged by the 7'2" Hibbert but his quickness and toughness should give him an advantage against the somewhat soft Hibbert. 

Keys to the Game
Something in Reserve - The Celtics starters played like a well oiled machine on Tuesday, but the reserves struggled to hit their shots and also struggled on defense.  They need to play more as a unit and step up their game on both ends of the floor.

On the Rebound -  The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball.  They were out-rebounded 46-42 by the Sixers and need to put more effort into crashing the boards. 

Be Offensive - The Celtics shot just 40% from the field and 27% from beyond the arc.  They simply must shoot better than that if they want to get a win in this game. 

Be On the Defense - Defense wins games.  The Celtics have the players to be a top defensive team and they have to put it all together and defend as a team. 

X Factors
Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, and Jaylen Brown - These three players have to find their offense and develop chemistry.  If they do,  look out! 

[GetLucky]

'Tis the season! I can't wait to see the Celtics play again (I missed last game). TP FLC!

[FLCeltsFan]

TP for GetLucky for being the first to post in the game thread!   Go Celtics!!!!!! 

[jpotter33]

Better be on NBA League Pass this time!

[FLCeltsFan]

It wasn't listed for League Pass but that's not to say they won't add it. 

[jpotter33]

Yeah, I just saw that. So what, are they just showing two LP preseason games a night now? What a rip-off.

[alldaboston]

A 0-2 start to the preseason would be pretty bad. Hopefully we get the W

[alldaboston]

On the Rebound -  The Celtics can't score if they don't have the ball.  They were out-rebounded 46-42 by the Sixers and need to put more effort into crashing the boards. 

Be Offensive - The Celtics shot just 40% from the field and 27% from beyond the arc.  They simply must shoot better than that if they want to get a win in this game. 

man, i feel like these two have been an issue for us for such a long time now.

[trickybilly]

A 0-2 start to the preseason would be pretty bad. Hopefully we get the W

Don't really care at all about result. As long as Jaylen shows further improvement for the feel of the game, Marcus has a good shooting night, and Rozier has another solid game. Only want to see 10-12 mins for the starters.

[hwangjini_1]

A 0-2 start to the preseason would be pretty bad. Hopefully we get the W

Tis the pre-season. Wins and losses mean nothing, so sit and enjoy the Celtics without any stress involved.

And of course many stress free thanks and a low stress tp to flc for the thread.

Gooooooooo pre-season Celtics!!!!!

P.s. Flc, is that bleach in those bottles at the top? 

[A Future of Stevens]

I want Jaylen to come out and be a little more efficient. However I will settle for another thunderous dunk.

[tazzmaniac]

Williams and Hibbert are their starting front court?  Should I not be concerned that the Hornets may be worse than the Nets? 

[alldaboston]

Williams and Hibbert are their starting front court?  Should I not be concerned that the Hornets may be worse than the Nets?

marvin williams is actually pretty good, and hibbert should be a better defender than jefferson last year. plus they got MKG back and resigned batum, hornets are a pretty [dang] good team (though losing Lin will hurt them)

[Surferdad]

Williams and Hibbert are their starting front court?  Should I not be concerned that the Hornets may be worse than the Nets?

marvin williams is actually pretty good, and hibbert should be a better defender than jefferson last year. plus they got MKG back and resigned batum, hornets are a pretty [dang] good team (though losing Lin will hurt them)

Naw, disagree.  Hibbert is washed up, MKG has yet to prove he is all-star level, Sessions is a ballhog.  Batum is pretty good.  I doubt they make the playoffs.

[Surferdad]

Curious to see if Ben Bentil gets any run in this game, he seems out of favor in Brad's eyes right now.  I feel like this team needs another big body up front. Zeller is mostly useless.