3 keys to the game: Celtics dominate Hornets 134-93 in first preseason tilt

The Boston Celtics begun the 2022-23 preseason with a bang, defeating the Charlotte Hornets ___ at home. The defending eastern conference champions made it look easy, delivering interim coach Joe Mazzulla his first win as an NBA head coach.

Boston is running it back with the same core, so what we can learn from the preseason is limited. At the same time, however, the Celtics big man rotation is far from settled, and a few new pieces are being integrated into the fold.

With the regular season rapidly approaching, check out the keys to the game from Boston’s first postseason tilt.

Jaylen Brown set the tone early

Jaylen Brown picked up right where he left off last spring, setting the tone early with a bit of tenacity. Brown attacked with real gusto rather than over-dribbling, and finished with 24 points on a tidy eight of eleven shooting in just 24 minutes of action.

Jayson Tatum didn’t look quite as crisp as Brown did. He wasn’t as quick to find his shot, and coughed up four turnovers in the first half. Tatum did finish the game with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, and connected with Brown on this excellent highlight.

Keep an eye on Mfiondu Kabengele

Thanks to injuries suffered by both Robert Williams and Luke Kornet, Boston’s big man rotation will be especially interesting in the early stretches of the regular season. The club brought in Blake Griffin presumably to shore up the frontline, but this preseason will also be a chance for a few other bigs to try and curry favor with Boston’s coaching staff.

Veteran Noah Vonleh was the first big off the bench for the Celtics, and immediately made an impact. At 6’9″ he’s a little undersized, but compensated Sunday afternoon with smart rotations and by doing his job. He finished with five points and nine rebounds in thirteen minutes.

Mfiondu Kabengele, however, stole the show in the second half. He brought immense energy and physicality, on top of some pretty smooth playmaking. The former first-round pick turned in ten points and three rebounds.

At one stretch late in the second quarter, Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart served as Boston’s de facto big men. It looks as if coach Mazzulla really is using this preseason period to see what sticks.

Brogdon is as good as advertised

Newcomer Malcolm Brogdon made an immediate impact during Sunday’s afternoon tilt. He seemed to fully lean in to his responsibilities as an offensive quarterback, especially with the second unit. In his 24 minutes of play, the Virginia product notched nine assists.

Brogdon was especially helpful at elevating some the bench guys, and seemed to know when to call his own number and when to spread the love. He turned in 11 points and five rebounds to compliment his playmaking.

The Celtics started the game with Marcus Smart and Derrick White on the floor alongside Brown, Tatum, and Horford. Smart is the presumptive point guard for this team, but Brogdon may indeed also handle a big portion of the ball-handling duties. When he does share the court with other play-making guards, though, Brogdon should have a chance to attack more as a scorer as well.

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Story originally appeared on Celtics Wire