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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 6h

Hugo Gonzalez to @jacksimone.bsky.social on importance of pace to Celtics’ defense:

“It’s everything. If you defend, you’re able to run. Everybody on this team wants to run…That’s what we’re looking for…When we are able to run, we’re gonna be really, really dangerous.”

🎥: @nbcsceltics.bsky.social

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 6h

Joe Mazzulla on Josh Minott, who had 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and one block in the Celtics’ win over the Grizzlies:

“He has a knack for the ball and has a knack for just kind of being in the mix.”

🎥: @nbcsceltics.bsky.social

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 6h

Luka Garza tells Abby Chin what he saw translate from a tough camp into the Celtics’ win over the Grizzlies in their preseason opener.

“Playing with pace, but playing with a high level of awareness as well, and not just playing fast, but playing smart and playing hard.”

🎥: @nbcsceltics.bsky.social

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 6h

Luka Garza to Abby Chin on the timing of his screens:

“One thing I can bring to this team is help get guys open. We have so many elite players, especially off ball screens…You’ve got to get them open...When they do…we can get so many different type of shots.”

🎥: @nbcsceltics.bsky.social

Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 6h

The Celtics beat the Grizzlies 121-103 in their preseason opener.

Brown: 21 points, 6/13, 3/6 on 3PAs
White: 16 points, 10 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal
Scheierman: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals
Garza: 10 points, 10 rebounds
Minott: 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block
Hugo: 8 points, 3 blocks

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 7h

As he just demonstrated, Kendall Brown is a savvy and effective cutter. Plus, he's a reliable finisher at the rim. Well done there on the layup off the feed from Jalen Bridges.

Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 7h

Another one. Impressive chase-down block in transition by Gonzalez. Encouraging preseason debut for the rookie. Love the energy he plays with.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

Per the Celtics: Jordan Walsh (left adductor tightness) - DOUBTFUL TO RETURN

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

After yielding five offensive rebounds in the first quarter, the Celtics only gave up three in the second. They also forced six turnovers and parlayed them into 11 points in the second quarter.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

The Celtics outscored the Grizzlies 33-22 in the second quarter. They lead 68-45 at the break.

Boston is shooting 49% from the field, including 11/28 (39.3%) from behind the arc. The visitors also held Memphis to 34.8% shooting, including 4/25 (16%) from three-point range.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

As Scal is highlighting on the NBCSB broadcast right now, Garza is doing a great job as a screener. He also had a ghost screen during his first shift that got him open at the basket. Didn't get the ball but he still deserves credit on his end.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

Hugo Gonzalez is quickly making his presence felt in his first preseason minutes. Great energy off the bench.

Here, he swats fellow rookie Cedric Coward.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

Hugo Gonzalez sighting to start the second quarter. It's cool that he and Santi Aldama, the only Spanish players in the NBA right now (crazy, I know), are facing each other tonight.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

The Celtics lead the Grizzlies 35-23 after one. They're shooting 54.5% from the field. Boston's 5/13 (38.5%) from beyond the arc.

The Celtics gave up 5 offensive rebounds, but they held the Grizzlies to 31.8% shooting, including 2/14 on 3PAs. They also forced two turnovers.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 8h

Minott being active off the ball is an important part of his role offensively. There, he crashes from the corner for a put-back dunk off the missed 3 by Brown. It's an example of the infusion of energy Minott will provide.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 9h

This was a great effort/rotation from Jordan Walsh. He has to respect Aldama in the corner but still gets to the rim quickly enough to force a miss from PJ Hall.

At the other end, Garza swoops in for an offensive rebound that leads to a Sam Hauser 3.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 9h

Tillman is moving well defensively. I also loved the stunt to dislodge the ball. Encouraging start for him after losing 12 pounds and his knee getting healthy this offseason.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 9h

Love that Xavier Tillman Sr. is getting the start back in Memphis. He did so on the Celtics' trip there last regular season as well.

Starting 5:

Derrick White
Jaylen Brown
Sam Hauser
Chris Boucher
Xavier Tillman Sr.

Mazzulla cautioned pregame not to read too much into that.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 18h

Jayson Tatum traveled with the Celtics for tonight's preseason opener in Memphis. He said at media day that he intended to remain present and involved with the team as much as possible while he rehabs.

📸: JayTatum0 on Instagram

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 1d

What they're pouring into training camp speaks to a team that understands what it will take to overcome its offseason departures and the willingness to pay the price to make that come to fruition. hardwoodhoudini.com/celtics-trai...

The Celtics' training camp desire made crystal clear by Jaylen Brown's message

Jaylen Brown says this is likely the hardest training camp of his career with the Boston Celtics. That's paramount to overcoming their loss in talent.

hardwoodhoudini.com

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 1d

On defense, the Celtics are dialing up their aggression. Offensively, they're revving up their pace.

To sustain that, they're having what Jaylen Brown said has "probably been my hardest preseason, I think I've had [from] a conditioning standpoint and a physicality standpoint." 1/x

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 1d

From Duke's announcement about Tatum's role with the Blue Devils:

"In this role, Jayson will leverage his career success to provide perspective and guidance on basketball development, leadership, and life as a successful athlete, leaning on the lessons he first learned at Duke."

Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 1d

Jayson Tatum is now the Chief Basketball Officer at Duke. In this role, he will be a special advisor to head coach Jon Scheyer.

(Via: Duke Men's Basketball on X)

Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 1d

Jayson Tatum is now the Chief Basketball Officer at Duke. In this role, he will be a special advisor to head coach Jon Scheyer.

(Via: Duke Men's Basketball on X)

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 1d

The Mavericks signed former Celtic Dalano Banton. He returned to Portland last season after Boston traded him there at the 2024 trade deadline.

Banton averaged 8.3 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 rebounds in 16.7 minutes and 67 appearances with the Trail Blazers last season.

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Bobby Krivitsky @bobbykrivitsky.bsky.social · 2d

Josh Minott on Joe Mazzulla’s expectations for him:

“He expects me to be that pest, and someone that takes pride in all areas of aggression, whether that be defense, rebounding, not being afraid to take an open shot.”

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