Derrick White has felt extra settled in with the Celtics this preseason. After being acquired eventually season’s commerce deadline, and attempting to combine himself with the C’s earlier than his first little one was born in the course of the playoffs, there was rather a lot happening for the guard in a brief span of time.
Now after a summer season to breathe, White appears acclimated. It confirmed in an enormous manner within the Celtics’ preseason win over the Hornets on Friday night time in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In three preseason video games, White – who was used primarily off the bench in final season’s run to the NBA Finals – has began in every one. It stays to be seen if that continues into the common season, as Joe Mazzulla experiments with smaller combos in determining how one can make up for Rob Williams’ absence. But whether or not it’s beginning or coming off the bench, White is clearly solely going so as to add to the Celtics’ power of their guard play.
With a number of regulars out – together with Marcus Smart and Malcolm Brogdon – White was one among two starters, together with Jaylen Brown, who stayed within the lineup from the earlier two video games. Given the keys because the lead guard of the offense, White thrived as he went off for 18 factors and 6 assists whereas additionally enjoying his often stable protection in 24 minutes of the 112-103 win.
White appeared aggressive early as he completed two driving layups within the opening minutes, and his retooled shot mechanics have been on show as he went 6-for-10 from the ground, together with two triples. One sequence stood out within the second quarter: After kicking a ball out to Blake Griffin, White discovered some house for a relocation 3 within the nook that he drained.
Other takeaways from Friday night time’s preseason victory:
– Four days after signing with the Celtics, Griffin made his debut and appeared fairly comfy. The veteran ahead performed 16 minutes and completed with seven factors, 9 rebounds and two assists. Griffin’s first basket got here late within the second quarter, when Brown discovered him broad open for a 3. Griffin solely went 1-for-6 taking pictures, however was doing little issues like crashing the glass and setting good screens that may make him a contributor coming off the bench this season.
“I felt all right,” Griffin mentioned on NBC Sports Boston after the sport. “A little rust. I haven’t played 5-on-5 yet, so it’s always a little weird coming in a little late, but these guys are great. Coaching staff was great, giving you a clear message and I was glad we picked it up in the second half and got the win.”
– Smart, Brogdon, Jayson Tatum and Al Horford all took the night time off after logging heavy minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Raptors. But Brown stayed within the lineup and had one other spectacular recreation. Though he began gradual, Brown completed with 19 factors on 6-for-14 taking pictures, together with 5-for-8 from 3 as he performed 25 minutes and deep into the third quarter. Brown is now averaging 22 factors per recreation this preseason and continues to look prepared for the season to start out.
– With Horford out of the lineup, Friday offered an enormous alternative for Noah Vonleh and he seized the prospect. The huge man earned the beginning – and after a tricky begin wherein he picked up two fast offensive fouls, he completed with 14 factors and 13 rebounds. There’s a gap on the finish of the bench for frontcourt depth within the wake of Rob Williams’ harm and Vonleh appears poised to seize one of many Celtics’ 15 roster spots.
– Turnovers as soon as once more plagued the Celtics. After committing 23 in final Sunday’s win over the Hornets, the C’s solely had 10 on Wednesday. But they have been careless to start out Friday’s recreation, with 14 turnovers within the first half as they dug themselves right into a 16-point deficit.
But to their credit score – even when it’s simply preseason – the C’s confirmed some resilience as they got here again to win convincingly. Justin Jackson, as he continues to struggle for a roster spot, was spectacular to finish the third quarter as he drilled three consecutive 3-pointers earlier than pinning a chase-down block on the glass that fired up the Celtics bench. Jackson completed with 16 factors, and Payton Pritchard added 13 factors and 7 assists because the C’s took care of the ball – solely 5 turnovers within the second half – and the bench performed effectively to safe the victory.
Source: www.bostonherald.com