Boston Celtics: 8 things to look out for in tonight’s first scrimmage

The Boston Celtics return to the hardwood tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

It’s time Boston Celtics fans. The NBA is back and tonight is the first glimpse we will get at the C’s since the season was suspended in March due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Unfortunately, we have not solved the problem as other nations have, but we have learned to live with the virus. Part of that has been figuring out how to safely hold games. The NBA figured it out (with a hat tip to Keith Smith) and here we are just hours away from the first game of the Boston Celtics’ seeding game slate.

What should we look out for in tonight’s opener? The Houdini examines…

1. How Jayson Tatum’s shot looks

At the beginning of the pandemic, there was worry that Jayson Tatum would not have that same sweet stroke he had when the season was suspended in March. Remember, Tatum was coming off of scoring 30 or more in five of his last seven contests, but rumors swirled that he didn’t have a basketball hoop to put up shots on in quarantine.

He has encouraged many with his shooting in practice, but tonight we will see if he can pick up where he left off.

2. What the team’s conditioning will look like

Obviously, every team will be behind the 8-ball when it comes to conditioning. The C’s are not one of the faster playing teams in the league, ranking 17th in pace. That said, it will be interesting to see how they hold up after so many months away.

3. What the big man rotation will look like

Daniel Theis established himself as the starter, but there is room for movement behind him. Enes Kanter and Grant Williams soaked up most of the backup minutes, but Robert Williams has a chance to make some noise. His physicality could be needed against a burly Thunder frontline.

4. How Marcus Smart fills in at point guard

We have seen Marcus Smart step in for the Boston Celtics without point guard Kemba Walker in the lineup. We will see more of that tonight when the team takes the floor without their max-contract star.

C’s fans may have to get used to this arrangement until the postseason given Walker’s ongoing knee woes.

5. Who can earn minutes at the backup point guard spot

Without Walker and with Smart in the starting lineup, a point guard with two seasons or less of experience will have to earn a spot. That could be their 30-year-old journeyman Brad Wanamaker or Carsen Edwards, who are both in uniform unlike Tremont Waters (concussion).

6. Which reserve wing could crack the rotation

Tonight will be a good chance for Romeo Langford, Semi Ojeleye, and Javonte Green to separate themselves from the pack. None of the three have had any bit of a standout season, but with Gordon Hayward leaving the bubble in September (if the C’s are still in the picture), someone will need to step up and that can start tonight.

7. How Daniel Theis matches up with Steven Adams

Steven Adams will be a good test for Daniel Theis in his first game back after months away. While nothing suggests anything has changed since March–where Theis was able to anchor a top-five defense as an undersized center–it would bring more calm to Boston Celtics fans to see him not get overwhelmed by one of the league’s most physical centers.

8. How Brad Stevens staggers his rotation

Usually, the exhibition rotations mean nothing. There are going to be two depleted rosters tonight, and most rosters will undergo some sort of change during this sprint of a finish to the regular season and playoffs.

It will still be interesting to see who the first big, point guard or wing off the bench will be when the team takes the floor tonight. These games have resembled regular-season action more so than the usual preseason fare.