The Boston Celtics opened their preseason slate with a 124-113 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The visitors' performance captured their identity. It's a team that will always play hard and smart. They have a standard and intend to meet it, no matter the circumstances.
Boston was without eight players, including Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Derrick White, and Payton Pritchard. The absence of primary ball handlers, like that quartet, meant more opportunities for Baylor Scheierman.
At Media Day, he conveyed that he wanted to have more impact with his on-ball reads. While that's becoming a bigger part of his job description, the third-year wing understands what else is required of him.
In Thursday's victory at Rocket Arena, the former Creighton star showcased a bit of everything, making plays with the ball and earning Tommy Points for his hustle.
Baylor Scheierman shines in Celtics' preseason opener
The 26-year-old Nebraska native finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He launched seven shots from behind the arc. He knocked down four of them.
With the ball in his hands, Scheierman consistently created quality looks for himself and his teammates. He worked in concert with Luka Garza out of the pick-and-roll, produced paint touches, and delivered a cross-court dish to Jordan Walsh for an open 3 that didn't go down.
Orchestrating the offense, he showcased his dynamic combo of shooting, making plays off the dribble, and the vision that makes him such a productive passer.
It was an encouraging display of how his game could expand in the upcoming campaign. He also turned hustle plays into highlights.
Baylor Scheierman makes the dirty work look glamorous
A moment in Thursday's win over the Cavaliers that captured this perfectly was when he was the first to the ball after his three-point attempt got blocked. He then fired a behind-the-back dime to Chris Cenac Jr. for a two-handed dunk.
That was the beginning of a sequence worthy of the Celtics highlighting in the film room. After grabbing the rebound at the other end of the floor, and temporarily losing his shoe, Scheierman swooped in to beat Mario Hezonja to a long miss. He then dropped to the floor to wrestle the ball away before Peyton Watson could secure it. From his kaboose, facing the opposite end of the court, he quickly contorted himself and delivered an on-target bounce pass to Luka Garza for a layup.
Throughout the night, Boston's burgeoning wing toggled between making plays on the ball and being a threat off of it. He does the same, going from sharpshooting and dazzling dishes to diving onto the floor to extend a possession.
Scheierman's dynamic skillset and ability to balance the work needed to grow his game in the direction he wants with what else the Celtics need from him highlight why he is poised to build on last season's breakout.
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