The Boston Celtics won their opening preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, which took place in Abu Dhabi as part of the NBA's global games schedule. The two teams will remain overseas as they prepare for their second game against each other on Sunday.
While the contest had all the hallmarks of a preseason game and was legitimately scrappy at times, there were lessons to be learned. Here are three takeaways from the Celtics performance on Friday.
Jayson Tatum's shooting mechanics have changed
Tatum alluded to a change in his shooting mechanics during a media day news conference on Sept. 24. The All-Star forward noted that he'd been working with renowned skills trainer Drew Hanlen to improve his jump shot after struggling from the field throughout the season's final months.
“Been working with my trainer Drew [Hanlen] a lot, recently in the last few weeks,” Tatum said. “Pick-up points, hand placement, getting lower, keeping my shoulders forward and things like that.”
All that hard work has paid off. Tatum's release is quicker, his motion more fluid, and that slight hitch before he released the ball has gone. It was only a preseason game, but his three made shots from the perimeter was an encouraging sign.
Celtics fans and the wider NBA fan base will likely be watching Sunday's matchup keenly as they wait for Tatum to prove his new-look jump shot is for real and will be sticking around.
Payton Pritchard's bench role isn't in doubt
During the 2022-23 season, Prtichard's long-term future with the Celtics was in doubt. He had helped the Celtics make the NBA Finals in 2022, but following the addition of Malcolm Brogdon, he found himself glued to the end of the bench. Last season, with Brogdon no longer with the franchise, Pritchard made the "first guard off the bench" role his own.
Against the Nuggets, Pritchard looked like the best role player on the floor. He dominated from the perimeter, converting six of his 12 three-point shots. He also showcased his playmaking ability by dishing out six assists and chipping in on the glass with four rebounds, one being on the offensive end.
Pritchard is rapidly proving himself to be one of the best bench guards in the NBA. He never takes a possession off and always looks for ways to help his team or improve his game. His big performance in Abu Dhabi wouldn't have shocked Celtics fans, but it should serve as a reminder to the rest of the league.
Boston's bench depth is encouraging
The Celtics entered the contest without Kristaps Porzingis or Al Horford. As such, third-string big man Luke Kornet stepped into the starting lineup, with Neemias Queta playing the backup role. Both centers are non-shooting bigs. However, the Celtics found ways to extract value from them on the perimeter.
Rather than asking either big to stretch the floor, Mazzulla had them operating as screeners and short-roll passing threats. That allowed both of them to use their size on the roll while also ensuring the Celtics had the elite spacing that made them so dangerous last season. Boston also tasked Kornet and Queta with leaning into some playmaking from the top of the perimeter, an action known as "delay."
With so much depth at the center position, the Celtics will undoubtedly feel confident they have enough cover for the upcoming season, especially with questions remaining over Porzingis' ability to stay healthy.
