It wasn’t a 41-point blowout, however the Boston Celtics finished their preseason sweep of the Charlotte Hornets with a win on Friday evening.
The C’s bounced again from a sloppy first quarter and erased a 16-point deficit to take down Charlotte at Greensboro Coliseum, 112-103. They shot 19-for-44 (43.2 p.c) from 3-point vary to enhance to 3-1 in the preseason.
Forsberg: Jays would industry person accolades for Banner 18
LeMelo Ball and Kelly Oubre Jr. have been shiny spots for the Hornets with 23 and 18 issues, respectively. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 19 issues in 25 mins and appears able for regular-season motion. Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, Al Horford, and Malcolm Brogdon had the evening off.
Here are our takeaways from the Celtics’ victory. They’ll wrap up the preseason in Toronto subsequent Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
A glimpse of Blake Griffin in Green
The sight of Blake Griffin in Celtics Green will take some being used to. C’s fanatics began to get acclimated on Friday evening because the six-time All-Star made his debut for Boston.
Griffin wasn’t throwing down dunks as he did in his heyday, however he nonetheless made an affect in the win. He made his presence felt with a three overdue in the second one quarter and entered the part with seven issues and 4 rebounds in 9 mins.
Griffin ended up with seven issues, 9 rebounds, and two assists in 16 mins. He additionally did some sure issues that do not make an look in the field ranking, like atmosphere this display screen on a Jaylen Brown 3-pointer in the 3rd quarter:
If that is what Celtics fanatics can be expecting to get from Griffin in the steady season, they are going to no doubt take it.
Derrick White does all of it
Brown led the staff in issues, however Derrick White used to be the famous person for the Celtics on Friday evening. He used to be exceptional on each ends of the ground with 15 issues (5-8 FG), 5 assists, two rebounds and a thieve on the part. He completed with 18 issues, six assists, 4 rebounds, and added two blocks for just right measure in 24 mins.
White’s jumper has appeared sharp thus far in the preseason. If he can raise that into the steady season, it’s going to move a ways towards serving to the Celtics bench get to the place it must be,
Noah Vonleh states case for roster spot
It certain turns out like Noah Vonleh is heading in the right direction to make the Celtics’ ultimate 15-man roster.
The Haverhill, Mass. local were given the beginning at heart on Friday and made essentially the most of his alternative. He notched a double-double with 14 issues (6-8 FG) and most significantly, 13 forums.
With Robert Williams out to start the season, Boston wishes any person to step up and blank the glass. With his efficiency this preseason, Vonleh has made his case that he’s the person for the task.
A greater evening for Celtics’ bench
Boston’s reserves failed to carry directly to a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s preseason loss to the Toronto Raptors. The bench used to be much-improved on Friday evening.
After a rocky first part, Justin Jackson used to be on fireplace. The UNC product drilled 4 3-pointers — together with 3 immediately — en path to a 16-point efficiency. He additionally were given the bench fired up with this emphatic block and staredown.
Payton Pritchard stepped up along Jackson to seal the Celtics victory. He ended up with 15 issues (6-15 FG, 3-8 3PT) and 7 assists in 27 mins.