The Celtics started their preseason on a high note Thursday night, earning a 124-113 road victory over the Cavaliers despite resting most of their top players in the preseason opener.
Five different Celtics scored in double figures in the victory led by Luka Garza, who had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Hugo Gonzalez scored 15 points while team prospect Devin Carter stole the show early, scoring 15 of his 17 points in the first half.
Boston’s offense was impressive all night against a Cavs team that played all of its regular players except James Harden (ankle) in the first half. The Celtics’ usual reserves scored 71 points against this unit, thanks in large part to their work on the offensive glass. Jaylon Tyson finished with a team-high 14 points for the Cavs in the loss.
The Celtics will now get a day off before returning to action on Saturday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers in what will likely be the start of the preseason for most of Boston’s regulars.
Here are four takeaways from the Celtics’ victory Thursday night in Cleveland:
The Celtics are giving most of their regulars a night off: After a tough week of training camp in Charleston, Joe Mazzulla opted to keep his regulars for the preseason opener. Boston’s top seven players in the rotation took time off, including Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Payton Pritchard and Mitchell Robinson. Ron Harper Jr. was also out with a shoulder injury that is not considered serious. With most of the Boston regulars out, the Celtics were able to take a long look at their group of young wings with Gonzalez, Scherierman and Walsh starting alongside Mike Conley Jr. and Luka Garza. The Celtics also took a long look at their rookies and guys (Carter, Milos Uzan) for their last open two-way spot. The B team acquitted itself rather well in the first half against the usual Cavs regulars, scoring 71 points before the intermission.
Celtics assistants have a unique opportunity to take on the role of head coach: Joe Mazzulla watched the preseason game from the locker room as assistant coach Tony Dobbins was the head coach for the first half. DJ MacLeay took the reins in the second half, giving both men a fun chance to run the show after both were finalists for NBA head coaching jobs this summer. Mazzulla will continue to provide opportunities for his coaches this preseason as Sam Cassell will be the head coach for the team’s final preseason game against the 76ers next week.
Devin Carter makes a strong case for a spot on the list: The former Providence star got an opportunity with Boston this summer after being waived by the Hawks in September and made the most of it in his preseason debut. The guard led all first-half scorers from the bench, scoring 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field. He attacked the basket well in isolation and in transition, holding his own against the Cavs’ usual starters while playing with a tenacious mindset on defense with his ball pressure. Carter finished with 17 points in 25 minutes and was a team-high plus-23, putting him in control of Boston’s final home-and-home spot after a preseason game.
Celtics dominate the offensive glass: Even with the NBA’s best offensive rebounder (Mitchell Robinson) having taken time off, the Celtics destroyed what was a decent rebounding team last year on the glass. Boston pulled down 10 offensive rebounds in the first quarter alone and racked up a double-digit advantage in offensive rebounds through 48 minutes to help them overcome a poor shooting night from the field. Garza led the way with four offensive rebounds while rookies Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac Jr. scored three each. Boston’s five starters were also able to command an offensive board, which helped produce a 26-6 advantage in second-chance points against the Cavs.
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