10 takeaways from a Celtics preseason collapse in Toronto

Nicely, at the least it’s simply the preseason.

The Celtics held a 27-point lead of their 105-103 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday evening. They led by 14 with 3:10 left within the recreation as effectively. But, they let is slip away.

1. Baylor Scheierman’s tough evening

Let’s begin off with a constructive: Scheierman’s passing was nice. He completed the night with 6 assists.

All through the evening, Baylor was making nice passes that made you not need to stop on the participant and hold you from chucking up the sponge on the thirtieth choose within the 2024 NBA Draft.

He additionally had 6 rebounds, which is nice as a result of the Celtics must rebound, extra on that later.

The remainder of Scheierman’s evening was tough. 4 factors on 2/9 taking pictures, 0/3 from three and 5 turnovers, to not point out he fouled out of the sport.

What was his purpose right here? He drives proper into Chucky Hepburn who had been creating havoc all evening. Then to high all of it off, Scheierman commits a frustration foul, sending Toronto to the road and fouled him out of the sport.

After a tough summer time, Baylor Scheierman is off to a tough begin within the preseason.

2. Toronto’s ball strain bothered the entire Celtics guards

Boston turned the ball over 28 occasions and numerous that needed to do with the strain the Raptors had been placing on the Celtics.

Whether or not they had been bringing the ball up the courtroom or making an attempt to get every little thing set within the half courtroom, the Raptors didn’t let the Celtics ball handlers really feel comfy in any respect for a lot of the sport.

A lot of the Celtics turnovers got here once they put their reserves within the recreation — these don’t concern me. The gamers who dedicated these turnovers gained’t be taking part in minutes for this staff. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless one thing to keep watch over as we enter the common season.

3. Anfernee Simons is cool with coming off of the bench

It has lengthy been anticipated that Simons can be coming off of the bench and he all however confirmed simply that. In the course of the first quarter, NBC Sports activities Boston’s Abby Chin reported on a dialog she had with Simons about coming off of the bench.

Simons informed Chin, “whereas I do know I used to be a starter, all I care about — my solely purpose — is to win and that’s the purpose of the staff as effectively. I need to contribute on the highest stage, no matter that appears like.” Chin additionally added, “there will likely be no beginning controversy on the level guard place.”

I believe it is necessary that Simons buys into his position whereas he’s right here. He’s making an attempt to get a brand new contract and simply may have pouted in regards to the state of affairs. If this perspective continues, that will likely be an enormous added bonus for the Celtics.

4. The Chris Boucher revenge recreation was lovely

In his return to Toronto, Chris Boucher performed an distinctive recreation, with 19 factors and 9 rebounds; he was a +22 within the recreation.

On one other observe, this must be the earliest return recreation for a participant in NBA historical past, proper? It’s the second recreation of the preseason, he hasn’t even made his TD Backyard debut but!

Anyhow, Boucher was making performs all through his total 23 minutes.

He performs actually onerous and is a great participant. He cuts on the proper time, crashes the offensive glass effectively, and is never out of place on the defensive finish. He had a pleasant season taking pictures threes final yr and made a couple of final evening. If that may proceed, Boucher may flip into an actual contributor for this staff and for the subsequent few years as effectively.

5. May Ron Harper Jr. steal a two-way spot?

I’ve discovered it very fascinating that Ron Harper Jr. has been getting minutes with the common gamers through the first two preseason video games for the Celtics.

Harper Jr. nonetheless has two-way eligibility left as he enters his fourth NBA season.

In Wednesday’s win towards the Grizzlies, he performed quarter-hour and on Friday, he solely performed 9 minuets however was pulled with 6 and a half minutes to go, one thing that occurs to common gamers within the preseason, not G Leaguers. Examine that to the mixed 10 minutes two-way gamers Max Shulga and RJ Luis have performed over the primary two video games, Joe Mazzulla clearly has extra belief in Harper.

Would Boston ever waive one among these rookies for the 25-year-old Harper? That I’m not positive of. Nevertheless, what I’m positive of is that Harper is extra prone to play an everyday season position than both Luis or Shulga are. Neither of these guys seemed NBA prepared on Friday.

6. One other actually strong Josh Minott outing

After a strong Celtics debut on Wednesday evening, Josh Minott adopted it up with one other very strong recreation in his second preseason recreation with the C’s.

In 26 minutes, Minott had 13 factors and 6 rebounds, he shot 6/10 from the sphere and 1/3 from three. He made performs all evening that helped Boston ballon their result in as many as 27.

That is is a very nice drive and end by way of site visitors. If this is usually a fixed a part of Minott’s recreation, the Celtics have discovered them selves a great participant.

He additionally made two good defensive performs.

The block is what stood out to me. He will get beat on a again door lower, not ultimate, however to have the atheism to recuperate and make an important block is actually great things and thrilling to see. Hopefully we get to see extra of this through the common season.

7. Mazzulla had a fast hook for poor defensive rebounding

This was primarily a primary quarter difficulty for the Celtics. When Toronto had 7 offensive rebounds within the interval, Joe Mazzulla was fast to drag gamers out of the sport.

Gradey Dick had 4 first quarter offensive rebounds himself.

Dick will get the within place on Hugo Gonzalez right here, resulting in a simple rebound and a 2nd probability alternative for Toronto.

Mazzulla wasn’t having any of this making 15 first quarter substitutions, in a preseason recreation! He needs to set the usual that poor defensive rebounding won’t be tolerated this season.

8. Closed the third quarter poorly

Clearly, the way in which Boston closed the 4th quarter was worse than the way in which they closed the third quarter. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change the truth that Boston closed the third quarter poorly.

Mazzulla talks usually about how vital it’s begin and finish quarters effectively and Boston did a poor job of that within the third. Toronto closed the interval on a 13-2 run.

These are the little particulars that lose you video games. If Boston closes the quarter higher, they win the sport. As a substitute, they walked out of the Scotiabank Area with a loss.

9. Xavier Tillman’s robust preseason continued

The counting stats won’t present it. In truth, the superior numbers won’t present it both, however I believed Xavier Tillman seemed good final evening.

He didn’t rating within the recreation, going 0/2 from the sphere, each being open three level appears that he ought to have made. Nevertheless, I believed he seemed good bodily.

Final season was a nasty one for Tillman. Knee points and being out of practice had been the 2 predominant elements for that. This season, he mentioned his knee feels higher and he dropped 12 kilos within the offseason. Early, within the preseason, the outcomes have been good.

He’s shifting a lot better than he did a season in the past.

It’s thrilling to see Tillman wanting higher than he did final yr as a result of Boston’s heart room badly wants him to have a bounce again season.

Neemias Queta had a tough evening with three unlawful screens that had been Celtics turnovers. If he continues to try this, Tillman might want to play an enormous position this season.

10. An ending that goes down because the worst I’ve seen

That loss most likely doesn’t occur within the common season as a result of Boston wouldn’t have had a bunch of late spherical rookies and non-rostered gamers (together with Baylor Scheierman till he fouled out) on the courtroom to shut the sport.

Within the remaining 3 minutes of the sport on Friday evening, Boston had 9 turnovers. That they had simply 3 subject purpose makes an attempt and one among them was a Shulga heave on the finish of the sport.

Why did RJ Luis determine it was RJ Luis time in that second? Why did Shulga choose up his dribble at half courtroom? Amari Williams had 2 turnovers within the remaining minutes.

These younger guys the Celtics had on the ground on the finish of the sport seemed tremendous unconformable and overwhelmed by the second. They had been the forty sixth choose, 57th choose and undrafted so it’s to be anticipated that they had been overwhelmed by the second.

Nevertheless, this ties again into to takeaway quantity 5. Williams is secure however neither Shulga or Luis are able to play NBA minutes. If the Celtics determine the need somebody who’s extra ready to play NBA minutes, may they waive a type of guys and switch to Ron Harper Jr., who has seemed very comfy this preseason. It’s one thing to keep watch over as we head into the beginning of the common season.