Despite resting their projected top seven rotation players on Thursday, the Celtics won a preseason game in Cleveland with 71 first-half points and 21 offensive rebounds, writes Brian Robb of MassLive.com (subscription required).
Former lottery pick Devin Carterwho is currently signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, made a strong first impression with his new team. The 24-year-old guard scored 15 points in the first half and finished with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and was a plus-22 in 25 minutes, though he committed five turnovers.
Rob believes Carter is “in the driver’s seat” for Boston’s two-way opener after his strong performance that included driving the basket and pressing the ball defensively.
We have more from across the Atlantic Division:
- LeBron James‘ elite background and vision were fully reflected in him Sixers preseason debut, trans PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck. The 41-year-old forward had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds in 18 minutes, and Neubeck believes James could average 10 assists per game this season with so many talented scorers around him. Joel EmbiidThe preseason debut was less encouraging, with seven turnovers in the first half alone (eight total), but Neubeck notes that the often-injured star big man has a history of slow starts.
- Which one Raptor will benefit the most Kawhi Leonardteam presence? TSN.ca’s Josh Levenberg posed that question to 10 members of Toronto’s coaching staff and front office, and Scotty Barnes, Colin Murray-Boyles and I’m Kobe Walter finished in a three-way tie with three votes each. “Getting to where he is is the biggest thing I’m really focused onMurray-Boyles told TSN.Obviously, how to win too. He is a winner. He is a proven winner. So, literally what it takes to take his position. Obviously, I can see the amount of work he puts in. He works like he’s just getting into the league, and he’s 35. He’s already proven everything. He has nothing more to prove. So I’m just trying to figure out my mentality, what makes him go, and trying to be as much of a sponge as possible for all the knowledge that he has.”
- The fourth Predators the player received a vote in the poll RJ Barrettwhose future with the team appears murky following the acquisition of Leonard, Levenberg writes. Barrett is eligible for an extension, but Levenberg is hearing from sources that there has been “little traction” in those contract talks. Levenberg clarifies that there is mutual interest from both sides, but Barrett is in the final year of his contract and extending him after a new Leonard deal could make the 2027/28 squad too expensive. However, Barrett showed last season that he is capable of playing a complementary or lead role in the offense, which will be important with Leonard playing fewer than 65 games in seven of the last nine seasons. The coach who voted for Barrett noted that he is still improving and could take extra steps if he builds a game like Leonard’s.
