Summer Celtics catch fire against Cavaliers 118-95

Back in July, Boston’s rookie class captured the imagination of fans in Las Vegas. The Summer Celtics played with smarts, joy, and unity in Summer League. It was a good first step to build chemistry for a team that suffered in that area the year before.

With the Celtics’ starters staying back in Boston for rest, Boston brought their twentysomething squad into Cleveland for their final preseason game. As a team, they may not have been as suffocating as their more experienced teammates on defense, but they put together Boston’s best offensive output of training camp. They scored 118 points on 54.7% shooting, including 15 for 37 from behind the arc.

However, individually, they each showed out. Consider this the buried lede: Carsen Edwards buried everything. To open the third quarter, Edwards caught fire, hitting eight of his first nine three-point attempts and finished the game with a game-high 30 points. He was hitting off the dribble and off screens. The 21-year-old is a lock to be part of the regular season rotation.

Earlier in the first half, Tremont Waters showed his upside as a waterbug point guard that can penetrate defenses to not just create for his teammates, but get his own shot, too. He finished with 24 points and 7 assists. Grant Williams showed off his complete game with a 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists line and was a +20 in the box score.

In the battle for the 15th roster spot, Javonte Green edged Max Strus tonight. Green affected the game all over floor, grabbing offensive rebounds and getting to the line. He chipped in with 16 points and 9 rebounds.

Robert Williams left the game in the first quarter after getting elbowed by Kevin Love. With the preseason complete, the Celtics now look to their season opener on October 23rd in Philadelphia.