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Boston Celtics (2-3) at Philadelphia 76ers (1-3)
Thursday, October 16, 2014
7:00 PM ET
Preseason Game #6, Road Game #2
TV: NBA-TV, CSNNE, CSNPhilly
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Wells Fargo Center
Referees: David Guthrie, Courtney Kirkland, James Williams
The Celtics are playing the Sixers for the second time in this preseason. Their first meeting ended with with an 87-78 Celtics win. In that game, the Celtics had balanced scoring with 6 players scoring in double figures.
The Celtics are playing in the second of back to back games as well as having to travel from Portland, Maine to Philadelphia for this game. Fatigue could factor in for the Celtics in this game. The Sixers are coming off a day of rest and so should have more energy than the visitors.
Injuries could figure into this game as well. The Celtics have 4 out for certain: Rondo, Young, Faverani, and Wallace. Jeff Green took a nasty poke to his eye in the Raptors' game and depending on how it feels the next day may or may not be out of this game. The Raptors have 4 players out, 1 doubtful and one questionable. Carter-Williams, Embiid, Grant and Richardson are all out with Roberts listed as doubtful and Thompson listed as questionable.
As with any preseason game, just when you think you know who will be starting and who will be playing, the coaches decide on a completely different lineup to experiment. Brad Stevens has said that he has decided on his rotation for the most part. But that doesn't mean that he will play those players in this game.
Possible Starters
Evan Turner, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk
Off the Bench
Phil Pressey
Marcus Smart
Avery Bradley
Marcus Thornton
Rodney McGruder
Tim Frazier
Brandon Bass
Erik Murphy
Dwight Powell
Christian Watford
Tyler Zeller
Joel Anthony
Injuries
Rajon Rondo (hand) out
James Young (hamstring) out
Gerald Wallace (knee) out
Vitor Faverani (knee) out
Jeff Green (eye) probable
Possible Starters
Tony Wroten, Hollis Thompson, Luke Mbah a Moute, Nerlens Noel, Henry Sims
Off the Bench
Casper Ware
Elliot Williams
Keith Bogans
Chris Johnson
Jakarr Sampson
Arnett Moultrie
Brandon Davies
Jarvis Varnado
Alexy Shved
Injuries
Joel Embiid (foot) out
Jason Richardson (knee) out
Michael Carter Williams (shoulder) out
Ronald Roberts (quad) doubtful
Hollis Thompson (eye) questionable
Jerami Grant (ankle) out
Players to Watch
Evan Turner started at the point in the last game and was playing very well at that position. He had 11 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 27 minutes before being ejected. It will be interesting to see if he can pick up where he left off in the last game.
Tony Wroten was the game's high scorer with 19 points when the Celtics and 76ers first met in the preseason. Wroten, a 6’6” combo guard, is leading the Sixers in scoring at 14.0 points per game while also dishing out 4.5 assists and pulling down 3.8 rebounds in 25.1 minutes per game. He is also shooting 47.6% from the field.
Keys to the Game
Run - Brad Stevens has said that he wants the Celtics to run more and to set the pace for the game. Even playing in back to backs, these players are young and should be able to run in this one.
Defense - Defense is always a key to getting a win. The Celtics need to play tough defense both as a team and individually.
Rebound - The Celtics need to crash the boards on both ends of the court to give themselves second chance points as well as to keep the Sixers from getting the same.
X-Factors
Fatigue and Focus
The Celtics are playing in back to back games and had to travel overnight as well. For a young team, fatigue shouldn't affect them too much. But, also for a young team, focus may be a problem when they get road weary. But then again, they are playing the Sixers.
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