Recap: Celtics lose preseason opener to 76ers but I'm still feeling good

The Celtics kicked off the 2016-2017 preseason with a 92-89 loss to the 76ers. Despite the loss, I’m all aboard the hype train because the Celtics (starters) looked good.

The pace was fast, the passing was crisp and the defense was fierce as Boston raced out to a 25-9 lead. Al Horford (8 points, 4-8 FG, 8 reb) looked very comfortable on the pick and pop/roll and Jae Crowder (11 points, 3-6 3 FG) showed off his new stroke.

Everything (except my expectations) cooled off in the 2nd quarter. The second unit (Smart, Rozier, Jerebko, Zeller and Brown) managed just 2 points over a 7+ minute stretch. Isaiah Thomas righted the ship by sparking a 9-0 run that stretched the lead back to double-digits. Boston led 43-31 at the half.

The defense all but disappeared in the 2nd half as Philly surpassed 30 points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Boston struggled offensively too as Brad Stevens elected to rest most of the starters.

Trailing 92-89, the Celtics had two chances to tie the game in the final seconds but three-pointers from Smart and Mickey(?) missed the mark.

Green

Just as we all expected, Al Horford fit seamlessly into this offense. Giddy up.

Jaylen Brown (8 points, 4 reb, 4 assists) and Terry Rozier (12 points, 3 reb, 2 assists) both played well in the 2nd half. Brown had 6 points late in the 4th as the Celtics made their run.

Gross

The second unit struggled offensively all night. They shot 1-13 from 3.

I was hopeful that RJ Hunter would win a spot on this roster but he laid an egg tonight (0 points, 2 turnovers in 10 minutes).

Greenlights

Jaylen Brown takes it at Joel Embiid but…

Brown makes up for it in the 4th quarter