The Boston Celtics have defeated the Philadelphia 76ers twice so far this summer, and the New York Knicks, who will be our opponents on Tuesday night, have been the only team to defeat them. Should the Celtics go 2-0 against the Knicks in their two preseason games, or can they go 3-1 and take the lead? Injury information, lineup forecasts, and more.
In our two triumphs over the Sixers, our starting five appeared to be in good shape, but in our defeat to the Knicks, all of the starters were rested. The starting five for that game against the Knicks was Payton Pritchard, Dalano Banton, Sam Hauser, Oshae Brissett, and Luke Kornet, as opposed to my earlier prediction of a more potent lineup.
even though the Knicks’ starting five played the entire game and they still lost, there were many things to take away from it. Should we anticipate the Celtics’ starting five to be frequently cycled once more, or will some prominent players make a comeback? Will the Knicks play three straight preseason games with their full starting five?
While I anticipate some of the more well-known players to return to the lineup, I believe there is a strong case for Pritchard, the recently extended player of the preseason thus far, to get the start. No one has distinguished themselves as much as the Oregon native guard, who has outperformed everyone’s expectations. However, a lot of
Jrue Holiday deserves to start on Tuesday night, but given how well Pritchard is performing, that isn’t a guarantee. Nevertheless, even though Pritchard’s recent performances more than adequately warrant a start, I believe that Holiday will start in front of him on this particular occasion. It’s obviously a difficult choice, and I’m glad Joe Mazzulla has to make it rather than me, but I believe that Holiday will start ahead of Pritchard mostly because of their growing synergy together as a squad. For our recently fired marksman, significant minutes off the bench are still expected and earned.
Banton started at shooting guard in our first preseason game against the Knicks, and after going 8-19 from the field and scoring 20 points that day, second most on the Celtics, I believe he merits another opportunity to show what he is capable of. However, will Mazzulla give him the chance to start, or will Banton’s contribution come from the bench? The latter choice, in my opinion. I believe Derrick White will start over Banton against the Knicks because to the dominant performance he had against the 76ers on both sides of the court.
These preseason games are White’s opportunity to demonstrate why he might be a regular starter once the season starts, which is something I personally believe.
Speaking of scoring, Svi Mykhailiuk has shot the ball with remarkable consistency in his two preseason games.
Does Mykhailiuk merit a start versus the Knicks given his exceptional shooting over the past two preseason games? In my opinion. Will Mazzulla offer him a role in the beginning? I don’t think so, once more. Jaylen Brown’s name will likely be among the first to be added to the starting lineup if he’s available, but I anticipate Hauser to return to the lineup to gain some momentum and form before the opening-day tipoff.
Hauser was one of our finest players in the Celtics’ most recent victory over the 76ers, tallying 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block, and shooting 4-9 from beyond the arc (44.4%). Despite Hauser’s shaky beginning to his preseason games,
Despite my prediction that Hauser will start, I believe Mykhailiuk will see quality playing time off the bench. Like many others, I have purchased a ticket on the Svi hype train and am eager to find out what else the sniper has in his arsenal.
To have a good night in the paint against Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson, a double-big lineup might be required. Does Mazzulla choose the new man, then? or choose the experienced veteran option? the two? I believe he will have to start Horford at the four and Porzingis at the five on this particular occasion. Even so, I still anticipate that Kornet will play a respectable number of minutes off the bench. Ideally, his form will improve before the start of the regular season.
Even though I think the starting lineup will be stronger, the rotating guys have already shown they are valuable, therefore I anticipate they will see more playing time off the bench so they can continue to cook.ht in the paint. Does Mazzulla choose the new man, then? or choose the experienced veteran option? the two? I believe he will have to start Horford at the four and Porzingis at the five on this particular occasion. Even so, I still anticipate that Kornet will play a respectable number of minutes off the bench. Ideally, his form will improve before the start of the regular season.
The Knicks have played two preseason games with their full starting lineup of Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Randle, and Robinson, and have thus far won one and lost one.
