Oblid

Walsh is making a huge difference out there.

Why hasn't Joe put in Minott yet?

The 5th starter will change throughout the season. Right now Jordan Walsh is having an entertaining run. He doesn't shoot much, isn't gifted on offense, but has worked hard to be ok on that end. Mostly it's, "Go out there and mercilessly hound their all star on defense," every single game.

At opposite ends of the experience spectrum, I was impressed by the way both Conley and Cenac moved out there in their brief stints. Pritch and Mitch came to life. Limited minutes for all may keep some guys active for tonight. Devin Carter sat on the bench so he's safe to be around again.

Robinson's been hesitant in the early going as he adapts to new everything, but that block loosened him up. Once he gets comfy, he'll regain his usual impact and the Celtics will be visibly better.

It is really early, but if the Heat implode, they have very limited ability to do anything meaningful about it. And if there is a day of reckoning, is the cause Pat Riley's karmic debt? Perhaps.

Here's what I think about the Tatum/Brown controversy. I don't care. I've never cared. It doesn't matter. Play ball. Go Celtics!

Also, it's the first time in 15 years that the champs started 0-2. The last time was the Mavs in 2011-12.

After 2 games, the guys who are playing well are doing what they do. The guys who've started slow, Pritchard, Robinson and Hugo, will all play better. Plus there's that depth which'll be rolled out over time to grind down the opposition. Stats: Queta leads the team in 3P%, Walsh in rebs per minute.

Depth matters. The Celtics next two games are back to backs against weaker teams, the Bulls and Nets. I'd imagine George, Robinson and possibly Tatum will each rest for one of those contests. This will open up playing time for Garza, plus Hugo/Scheierman/Walsh/Harper. Could Cenac debut as well??

Celtics centers +/- stats: Queta and Robinson 22 minutes each. Queta -1, Robinson -2. The game was won in the 4 Garza minutes. He was +6. Garza played 4 very productive minutes, ending up with 8 points on 3-3 fg and 2-2 ft. In non-center news, Tatum is all the way back.

I googled to see if tonight's Celtics game was on NBCSB. AI replied, "Yes, tonight's Boston Celtics game against the Indiana Pacers (at 7:30 PM ET) is available to stream on Peacock and NBC Sports Boston." It got the time, opponent, & broadcaster wrong. Conclusion: Don't take medical advice from AI.

We heard talk earlier from Mazzulla and Pritchard that starting doesn't matter. Jordan Walsh is proof. He never saw the floor again after the opening 6 minutes.

Tatum: only 4th player in PxP era to have at least 11 pts, 5 reb, 6 asst, 1 stl in 1st half of season-opener (Anthony Davis, Doncic, Michael Finley) George: 17 points ... tied for his 2nd most in the first half of a season-opener Celtics: kept DET to 27% FG and 2/10 3's in 2nd Q

At the half. Rebounds Pistons lead 23 to 22. Turnover Pistons 8, Celtics 9. But the Celtics have hit four more 3s, and have shot better from everywhere. Also, so far so good on the Paul George acquisition. After some early turnovers, he's played great on both ends.

This is the best game of the year so far.

Looked like an ankle tweak for Mitchell Robinson.

Jordan Walsh did a lot of good things in this first stint.

Scalabrine just said he thinks Boston and Detroit will end up first and second in the East in the regular season. In that order.

Here's some good news. Dick Lipe is on Bluesky.

The Celts went 1-3 vs Detroit last year. Duren and Stewart generally out-physicaled Boston. Queta was a + in all 3 games he played. In the only Cs win though, he sat. Now, Stewart is gone, Robinson is here, Q is improved, so Boston might even have the advantage at center, which is a BIG deal.

It was just revealed that Devin Carter's illness is mononucleosis. Knowing nothing, I looked it up. "Mononucleosis typically lasts between 2 to 4 weeks, though full recovery from the fatigue can take several months." It's also highly contagious, so I'd guess no Auerbach center for a while.

The Boston Celtics are converting Devin Carter to a two-way deal, league sources told HoopsHype. Carter averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 18.4 minutes during 38 games for the Sacramento Kings last season.

Regardless of it being preseason, the outcome was more than a little surprising.

The NBA East is tough, but maybe Maine could make the play-in.

Sam Cassell, coach of the year.

Ron Harper looks like he's lost some conditioning. He's slightly heavier and a little slower.

I'm not judging Sam Cassell if he doesn't win this one.

Here's some great analysis from Steve Bulpett.

Mazzulla's willingness to go with the Queta/Robinson double bigs will at least in part be determined by how effective Garza and Cenac can be. Robinson only has so many minutes in him. If the other centers can provide reliable play, it frees up that limited Mitch time for twin towers.

That was dynamic play by the centers last night. The impact of the Mitch acquisition is greatly under-appreciated. Queta is quicker, more decisive, and has expanded his game. Garza's a good change of skill guy. Cenac moves like a real player too. Bonus: Robinson hit both free throws yesterday.

Queta looks quite quick.

In the current era, a hot shooting three point game often allows a lesser team to get a win over a better team. At the half, Charlotte has a 12 point advantage from 3, is outshooting Boston from deep 41% to 28%, and they still trail by 10. The Celtics' possession advantage is resetting the math.

Queta and Robinson double bigs!

Is this correct? The Pritchard, Walsh, Harper and Queta extensions, are all sponsored in part by the Jaylen Brown trade. That money was not going to be available with Brown earning $70 million or so a year. Maybe Mitchell Robinson's signing can be tossed in there too.

The biggest remaining questions with the Jaylen trade are: Will the Celtics be able to generate enough offense when Tatum isn't playing? Will no Brown make things harder for Tatum when he does play? The 2nd part probably won't be a problem. I'd guess the 1st part will work out fine too.

Early obvious upgrades for the Cs: Scheierman, sharper & more fit Center, and with that even more rebounding Tatum is further from surgery When you could start your 16th man and be ok, that's DEEP Hugo is a year older Maine Neemy, quicker & more decisive Maybes: Defense White's shooting stroke

Scheierman's made a lot happen without taking a shot yet tonight.

The Celtics should be looking inside to the center on the height mismatch every time down.

I suspect we'll see some successful lobs for the Celtics tonight.

On the Celtics 2 way players. Amari Williams was here last year. He remains perplexed despite the talent. The Cs see something and will keep working on him. The other 2 ways are major upgrades. Mitchell and Carter (lets hand him the open spot) are way better prospects than Shulga and Tonje.

I'm glad the Celtics scheduled the Sixers twice in preseason. It's like, "We're gonna get that out of our system right away." ...and by "that" take your pick, the playoffs or the Jaylen trade.

If there's anything close to a thin spot on the roster it's ballhandlers. Devin Carter's got an avenue if this stays real.

When he takes over for the second half, DJ MacLeay is gonna have a tough time outcoaching Tony Dobbins.

Devin Carter. The Kings are so nice. They just love sending gifts to the Celtics.

Since Cenac entered the game, the Cavs haven't been succeeding with the lob.

Maine's on the floor right now. They're going to romp in the G league.

The Maine Celtics are the bench tonight. Not complaining, this is fun.