Before we get too excited about things — or disappointed in what we see — it’s important we contextualize a few things about this scrimmage, the first Boston Celtics basketball we have seen since the 10th of March.
1. This is not meant to be a competitive game in the normal sense, and we may see a lot of strange lineups and rotations as head coach Brad Stevens gives players enough run to get their feet wet, but not so much they may hurt said feet (or anything else).
2. While winning is never ancillary in organized Celtics games (even games like this one which do not count towards a permanent record), it is not going to be the priority here, probably for either team.
3. Expect sloppy, rusty basketball with lots of missed passes, shots and coverages. Don’t be too worried about it, either — that should hold true with all 22 teams participating in the restart.
All that said, Boston expects to have nearly all of its roster available (only starting point guard Kemba Walker will be held out as a precaution given the ramp-up plan the Celtics Wire recently addressed), and word is starters will be playing short minutes as they also ramp up their intensity levels.
And with the first scrimmage game to have only 10-minute quarters instead of the usual 12, that means the whole thing will be over faster, with more second unit and deep rotation players than usual seeing extended floor time.
Earlier this week, it was reported guard Tremont Waters was in the latter stages of the NBA’s concussion protocol.
But, based on coach Brad Stevens comments on July 23rd’s media session stating the team will have 16 players available (Walker the presumptive absence), it seems likely the Connecticut native will also be available to play.
With Oklahoma City reporting all of their roster likely available as well, it should make for some interesting roster combinations on both sides.
Prediction: Boston wins by a nose in a low-scoring grind, 89-87.
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