Post by Admin on Mar 31, 2023 12:20:14 GMT -5
Danny Ainge & Luka Samanic are back in Boston tonight ... Ainge to remind everyone how quick he can rebuild a perennial loser into an up & comer, Samanic to remind us all how quickly Maine got dispatched from the playoffs without him. Brad must have had an opportunity to do a 10-day with Luka when Ainge came calling but passed and let Danny scoop him up. Why? Was that open spot too important to add another big in lieu of a wing, if only for 10 days? If Brad thinks Kabengele is a better fit long term than Samanic, well ... he better be right cuz if Ainge turns Samanic into another Markkanen, you'll have one pissed off Admin here for years to come!
Probable Jazz Starters
PG: Talen Horton-Tucker
SG: Ochai Agbaji
SF: Juan Toscano-Anderson
PF: Kelly Olynyk
C: Walker Kessler
Jazz Reserves
PG: Talen Horton-Tucker
SG: Ochai Agbaji
SF: Juan Toscano-Anderson
PF: Kelly Olynyk
C: Walker Kessler
Jazz Reserves
Udoka Azubuike
Kris Dunn
Simone Fontecchio
Damian Jones
Out/Injuries
Kris Dunn
Simone Fontecchio
Damian Jones
Out/Injuries
Jordan Clarkson (finger) out
Collin Sexton (hamstring) out
Rudy Gay (back) out
Lauri Markkanen (hand) out
Two Way Players
Collin Sexton (hamstring) out
Rudy Gay (back) out
Lauri Markkanen (hand) out
Two Way Players
Johnny Juzang
Micah Potter
Micah Potter
[ 10-Day Contract ]
Luka Samanic PF/C
Key Matchups
Marcus Smart vs Talen Horton-Tucker
Horton-Tucker is averaging 9.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He is shooting 41.9% from the field and 29.1% from beyond the arc. He is coming off a game against the Kings where he scored 41 points. In the first game vs Boston he had 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. He shot 40% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.
Jayson Tatum vs Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk is averaging 12.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He is shooting 49.4% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc. In the first game between these two teams, Olynyk had 13 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists. He shot 40% from the field but didn’t shoot a 3 in that game. He is a good shooter and at 7’, he has a height advantage over Tatum. The Celtics need to pay special attention to Olynyk, especially on the perimeter.
Honorable Mention
Blake Griffin vs Walker Kessler
Kessler is averaging 9.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 2.4 blocks. He is shooting 72% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Against Boston in the first game, he finished with 12 points, 14 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 blocks, including the game saving block at the end. I’m guessing that Blake will start at center if Al and Rob both sit. The Celtics need to defend Kessler especially in the paint and also be aware that he is a rim protector and rebounder.