The Boston Celtics showcased a powerful performance in their penultimate preseason game, dominating the Cleveland Cavaliers 138-107 at TD Garden on Sunday night. With key players like Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland resting, the Cavaliers fielded a less experienced lineup, which allowed the Celtics to capitalize on the situation.
The victory improved Boston’s preseason record to 2-1, and several critical takeaways emerged from the game. Notably, head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized his intolerance for poor defensive rebounding. The Celtics managed to secure only 59.7% of defensive rebounds, allowing the Cavaliers to grab 21 offensive boards and score 24 second-chance points, which made up 22.4% of their total points. This trend underscores a pressing need for the team to tighten up their rebounding, as opponents are averaging 16.3 offensive rebounds per game thus far in the preseason.
Mazzulla stated, “Find five guys who will rebound. It doesn’t matter about wings, bigs. It’s that simple. Rebound. Go.” His determination reflects an ongoing effort to refine the team’s defensive strategies ahead of the regular season.
Anfernee Simons made a notable impact in his first game at TD Garden as a Celtic, leading all scorers with 21 points on 50% shooting. Reflecting on the electric atmosphere, Simons noted, “It’s always been an arena that I look forward to playing in. Great shooting gym, for sure.” After transitioning to a bench role, he found comfort in his performance and is now aiming to improve defensively, as emphasized by Mazzulla’s objective for him to be a well-rounded player.
Josh Minott continued to impress, contributing significantly off the bench with 16 points, six rebounds, and a demonstrated ability to guard multiple positions. His enthusiastic play style has caught the attention of his teammates and coaching staff. Derrick White praised his potential, saying he has shown a willingness to learn and improve.
Boston’s fast-paced offense was evident, as they executed a quick score just eight seconds into the game. The Celtics generated 109 possessions, well above their average from last season, illustrating their focus on increasing tempo and physicality throughout training camp.
The team’s core players, including Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, and Payton Pritchard, performed consistently. White led with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Pritchard added 14 points and maintained a strong presence on the court. These performances set a positive tone as they gear up for their final preseason matchup against Toronto on Wednesday night.
In a standout moment of the game, Wendell Moore Jr. electrified the crowd with a memorable dunk in the closing seconds, adding to the excitement of a robust team performance.
As the Celtics look ahead, their strong showing in the preseason, coupled with continuous improvements in crucial areas like rebounding and defensive efforts, leaves fans with a sense of optimism as they prepare for the upcoming season.