The Boston Celtics just wrapped up their preseason schedule with a perfect 3-0 record, snagging a wild 125-120 overtime win against a full-strength Philadelphia 76ers squad. That’s right, a perfect run, culminating in a gritty OT battle where the bench unit absolutely shone.
Bench Mob Goes Toe-to-Toe with Stars
Boston rolled into Philadelphia Friday night for their final preseason tilt, and what a statement they made. Coach Sam Cassell, taking the lead on the sidelines, decided to rest all the key starters and vets. Instead, we got a curveball lineup out of the gate: Milos Uzan, Hayden Gray, Tucker DeVries, Gabe McGlothan, and rookie Chris Cenac Jr. Philly, on the other hand? They were stacked. Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, LeBron freaking James, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and, oh yeah, Jaylen Brown, back on the court against his former team just 103 days after that blockbuster offseason trade that absolutely rattled the NBA landscape. Talk about high stakes for a preseason game!
Uzan kicked things off right away, draining a triple only 45 seconds in. Gray then drove hard to give Boston an early 5-2 lead. But Philly, showing off their starters’ touch, hit their first seven free throws and grabbed the lead. Boston had a few shaky moments with three early turnovers, looking a bit sloppy on the road. Still, McGlothan showed some flash, hitting a triple right over a scrambling Jaylen Brown, with Uzan dropping a nifty pass into the corner.
The “Stay-Ready” Crew Delivers in Overtime
Sam Cassell wasn’t shy about his rotations, subbing in five new guys at the six-minute mark of the first quarter: Luka Garza, Ron Harper Jr, Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and Hugo Gonzalez. This “stay-ready unit” truly lived up to its name, especially when things got tight. Hugo Gonzalez was an absolute standout, leading the team with 21 points. This kid has been lights out from deep, coming into the game with a scorching 8-of-13 from downtown, and he showed that versatility with a sweet Euro-step layup after snagging a dish from Garza over Embiid. Baylor Scheierman continued his excellent preseason, averaging 8 points and 4 assists through three games, even finding Garza for a three-ball of his own. Garza, by the way, kept up his preseason three-point barrage, nailing his first attempt of the game. And Ron Harper Jr? He attacked the paint with serious quickness, blowing past two Philly defenders for his own score. The lead kept flipping back and forth in the second half, a real slugfest. But in overtime, the Celtics just kept coming, getting contributions from every single player on the floor. All 12 available guys scored for Boston, showing just how deep this bench can be.
The Celtics exit the preseason with a perfect record, thanks in large part to their bench stepping up big time against a full-strength opponent. That kind of performance, especially from the guys who aren’t usually in the spotlight, has to give fans a serious boost heading into the regular season. What’s next? The real games begin. And if this “stay-ready unit” can play like this when it counts, the rest of the Eastern Conference better pay attention.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Celtics Blog.
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