Predictions and Injury Update for Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets Boston Celtics are preparing to face the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on October 19, 2023, at 7:00 pm (ET). In their recent preseason game against the New York Knicks, the Celtics showcased their full-strength lineup and secured a significant victory.
The Charlotte Hornets, on the other hand, have posted a 1-2 record in the preseason, while the Celtics boast a strong 3-1 record. This prompts speculation about the lineups both teams will field on Thursday night and whether the Celtics will stick with their full-strength approach to maintain their preseason momentum.
It’s worth considering whether Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics’ coach, will opt for a similar lineup when they face the Hornets. In their game against the Knicks, the Celtics deployed their complete starting five for the first time since their preseason opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, demonstrating impressive cohesion and teamwork.
Of note, the Celtics exhibited exceptional three-point shooting during their game against the Knicks. As a team, they attempted 52 three-pointers, successfully converting 23 of them (44.2%). Standout performances included Jayson Tatum, who made 5 out of 8 three-point attempts (62.5%), and his teammates Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford, each shooting an impressive 50% from beyond the arc. If this sharpshooting form persists into the regular season, Celtics fans have much to look forward to.
While Payton Pritchard has performed remarkably well during the preseason, it’s anticipated that he won’t start ahead of Derrick White and Holiday in the backcourt, especially given the duo’s strong defensive capabilities. Derrick White’s performance against the 76ers on October 11th, where he recorded 11 points, three rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal in just 17 minutes on the court, solidified his position as a valuable starter for the Celtics.
White’s partner in the backcourt, Jrue Holiday, also stepped up his game during the victory over the Knicks, delivering a well-rounded performance with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Maintaining their chemistry and momentum by starting these two players again seems essential.
The question arises: Could White and Holiday form the best defensive backcourt in the league?
The Boston Celtics left no doubt about their star power in the 2023-24 season, and Tuesday night’s game at home offered a glimpse of what’s to come. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis showcased their skills on both ends of the court.
- Brown vs. Knicks: 17 points, three rebounds, six assists, 40% field goal shooting, and 42.9% three-point shooting.
- Tatum vs. Knicks: 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, one block, 60% field goal shooting, and 62.5% three-point shooting.
- Porzingis vs. Knicks: 20 points, 8 rebounds, one steal, two blocks, 61.5% field goal shooting, and 50% three-point shooting.
Expectations are that all three of these stars will continue to start against the Hornets, further enhancing the team’s chemistry. The Celtics’ talent and depth this season are generating considerable excitement among fans.
In response to questions about starting roles and lineup rotations, Porzingis emphasized that the team prioritizes winning and playing the right way over individual roles.
With the possibility of a small-ball lineup featuring both White and Holiday in the starting five, Al Horford may find himself coming off the bench again. However, Horford, even at 37, remains a valuable asset for the team, as he demonstrated during the Knicks game. The Celtics are more concerned with winning than individual roles, and their lineup may change frequently based on the opponent they face.
Boston Celtics Predicted Lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Kristaps Porzingis
I’m expecting the same lineup from Tuesday night’s victory over the Knicks to continue expanding on what is already working. The spacing this team provides is second to none, and with the chemistry already established, things can only get better from this stellar Boston Celtics side. Can they end the preseason 4-1? I certainly think so.
As the Charlotte Hornets aim to conclude their preseason on a positive note with a victory over the Boston Celtics, the composition of their starting lineup is under scrutiny. The Hornets’ preseason journey hasn’t yielded the results fans had hoped for. With one game left, their aspiration is to finish strongly by securing a home win against the Boston Celtics. In light of this, it’s expected that Steve Clifford will field a full-strength lineup, but who will be part of it?
The Hornets’ offseason has been an emotional rollercoaster, ranging from the excitement of drafting Brandon Miller to the disappointment of releasing Kai Jones and the recent suspension of Miles Bridges. Coming off a challenging season where they finished 14th in the NBA Eastern Conference with a 27-55 record, combined with the aforementioned off-court issues, it’s imperative for the franchise to chart a new course in the right direction.
However, there was a bright spot amid last season’s struggles: securing the second overall pick, which led to the acquisition of Brandon Miller, a forward from Tennessee. Although Miller hasn’t yet scored more than nine points in his two preseason appearances, there’s confidence in his abilities, and it’s anticipated that he will start alongside the Hornets’ star guard, LaMelo Ball, in Thursday’s matchup against the Celtics.
P.J. Washington has been a constant presence in the starting lineup for all three of the Hornets’ preseason games. Following an outstanding performance, particularly in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, it’s expected that he will retain his starting role in this fourth and final preseason game.
During that game, he delivered a remarkable 31-point performance, with Terry Rozier as the second-highest scorer, contributing a respectable 19 points. To establish some momentum and form heading into the regular season, it’s crucial for both Washington and Rozier to not only start but also perform at a high level.
Due to a lack of depth in the center position, and with him starting in all three preseason games so far, I expect Mark Williams to be in the starting five again on Thursday night.
As the 15th overall pick in 2022, the Virginia-born Centre has a lot to prove as he approaches his sophomore year in the NBA. His preseason stat lines haven’t been anything to shout about so far, but as the season approaches, this is the perfect chance for him to prove to the organization that he is the guy who can fill the Hornets’ center position going forward.
Charlotte Hornets Predicted Lineup
PG: LaMelo Ball
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Brandon Miller
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Mark Williams
As previously mentioned, the time for the Hornets to make improvements as an organization is now. With the young stars in the form of Ball, Williams, and their 2023 second-overall pick, Miller, there hasn’t been a better foundation for the franchise to build with.
A win against the Celtics would ease the minds of Charlotte fans, players, and staff, but is this lineup good enough to clinch a crucial, momentum-building win ahead of the regular season?
Injury Report for October 19th Boston Celtics vs Charlotte Hornets preseason game
Boston Celtics: Jay Scrubb – OUT (Torn ACL)
Charlotte Hornets: None
Score Prediction:
Boston Celtics 125, Charlotte Hornets 101
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