Celtics Host 76ers In Season Opener
By Dan Bruno
The Boston Celtics play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on Tuesday evening.
The Celtics kick off their 2022-23 season with largely the same roster that took them to the NBA Finals last season. However, they picked up a couple of high-level additions in Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari (knee). Unfortunately, Gallinari, along with Robert Willams (knee), will be sidelined for Tuesday's opener. Jayson Tatum is coming off a stellar year, averaging 26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 36 minutes per game. Jaylen Brown was likewise impressive, averaging 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. The two all-star wings are poised to lead the way once again, while Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Derrick White are expected to round out the starting lineup. Grant Williams and Malcolm Brogdon will be focal points off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Sixers are led by James Harden and Joel Embiid, who each put up monster numbers last season, but could only push their way to the second round of the playoffs. Embiid averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals, while Harden turned in an average of 22.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris are set to pick up where they left off with strong contributions throughout last season, including some takeover moments. The Sixers bolstered their defense by adding veteran P.J. Tucker. They also picked up De'Anthony Melton, who will provide strong guard play off the bench.
The Celtics kick off their 2022-23 season with largely the same roster that took them to the NBA Finals last season. However, they picked up a couple of high-level additions in Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari (knee). Unfortunately, Gallinari, along with Robert Willams (knee), will be sidelined for Tuesday's opener. Jayson Tatum is coming off a stellar year, averaging 26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 36 minutes per game. Jaylen Brown was likewise impressive, averaging 23.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. The two all-star wings are poised to lead the way once again, while Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Derrick White are expected to round out the starting lineup. Grant Williams and Malcolm Brogdon will be focal points off the bench.
Meanwhile, the Sixers are led by James Harden and Joel Embiid, who each put up monster numbers last season, but could only push their way to the second round of the playoffs. Embiid averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals, while Harden turned in an average of 22.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season. Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris are set to pick up where they left off with strong contributions throughout last season, including some takeover moments. The Sixers bolstered their defense by adding veteran P.J. Tucker. They also picked up De'Anthony Melton, who will provide strong guard play off the bench.
Warriors Host Lakers in Opener
The Golden State Warriors play host to the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center on Tuesday.
The Lakers had more question marks than anyone heading into last season, and it looks like all of the same questions are in place. This aging roster includes a multitude of superstars, but many people don't know if they can stay healthy. Anthony Davis and LeBron James were both brilliant last season, but both guys missed nearly half the year. That's become way too common for Davis, and this club needs him to be on the floor if they are to compete. The point guard position is in flux too. Russell Westbrook is coming off his worst season, while Dennis Schroder, Patrick Beverley, and Kendrick Nunn are being thrown into the mix as well. They need those three to form an elite guard corp, and it remains to be seen if that's even possible.
The Warriors returned to the glory that made them a household name, taking down the 2021-22 NBA Championship last season. They actually took care of the Boston Celtics in short order in that series, despite finishing third in the Western Conference. The simple fact is, the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were healthy for the first time in years. That appears to be the case yet again this season, and they've built quite the roster around those guys. Golden State recently extended Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, giving this team more championship aspirations for the next decade. They also have James Wiseman coming up the ranks, and many people believe he's the center of the future for this dynasty.
These teams played four times last season, with Golden State winning two of three. With that said, Los Angeles won five of six before that.
The Lakers had more question marks than anyone heading into last season, and it looks like all of the same questions are in place. This aging roster includes a multitude of superstars, but many people don't know if they can stay healthy. Anthony Davis and LeBron James were both brilliant last season, but both guys missed nearly half the year. That's become way too common for Davis, and this club needs him to be on the floor if they are to compete. The point guard position is in flux too. Russell Westbrook is coming off his worst season, while Dennis Schroder, Patrick Beverley, and Kendrick Nunn are being thrown into the mix as well. They need those three to form an elite guard corp, and it remains to be seen if that's even possible.
The Warriors returned to the glory that made them a household name, taking down the 2021-22 NBA Championship last season. They actually took care of the Boston Celtics in short order in that series, despite finishing third in the Western Conference. The simple fact is, the core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were healthy for the first time in years. That appears to be the case yet again this season, and they've built quite the roster around those guys. Golden State recently extended Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, giving this team more championship aspirations for the next decade. They also have James Wiseman coming up the ranks, and many people believe he's the center of the future for this dynasty.
These teams played four times last season, with Golden State winning two of three. With that said, Los Angeles won five of six before that.