Boston Celtics basketball is officially back, and wow, did they ever make a statement! The C’s just dismantled the Cleveland Cavaliers, taking them down 124-113 in their first preseason game. What makes this feel like such a huge win is that the Cavs rolled out their starters in the first half while Boston rested most of their key guys. Even with all the roster turnover, one thing absolutely didn’t change: the Celtics’ insane dominance on the boards.
Boards So Good They’re Scary
Seriously, the Celtics absolutely owned the rebounding battle, out-rebounding the Cavs by a massive 56-39 margin! This wasn’t just a slight edge either. A staggering 21 of those boards came on the offensive glass. Think about this: after just the first quarter, the Celtics already had 10 offensive rebounds. That’s the same amount of total rebounds the Cavaliers had at that point! It was a totally dominant performance that’s gotta get you hyped for when the full squad is back on the court.
Luka Garza: Board Monster Mode Activated
With a bunch of key rotation players out, Luka Garza got the starting nod for Boston, and man, he showed up ready to play. Garza finished the night with a team-high 22 points, plus 10 rebounds and 3 blocks on 6-17 shooting. His biggest impact, though? Setting the tone on the offensive glass. Four of his 10 rebounds were offensive boards, and that’s where he really shined. This guy was a force! It’ll be super interesting to see how Garza fits in moving forward, especially with Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson ahead of him on the depth chart. But after a performance like that, you gotta hope they find him some solid playing time this season.
Devin Carter Is Making His Mark
Remember when the Celtics signed Devin Carter to an Exhibit 10 deal back in September? There was a ton of buzz about it, and he looked like a real shoo-in for Boston’s final two-way spot. But with Milos Uzan and Hayden Gray also on the training camp roster, it looked like there would be some serious competition. Well, after tonight, I’d say the battle is definitely swinging Carter’s way. The former Providence Friar dropped 17 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, dished out 3 assists, and snagged 2 steals on 5-9 shooting, all while posting a team-high +22! He made his presence known right away, too, on his very first offensive play of the game.
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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