Boston overwhelmed Cleveland 138-107 in a TD Garden preseason tilt, even with Jayson Tatum sidelined. The Celtics spread the wealth, with 19 players scoring and a balanced attack from starters and reserves. Derrick White anchored the lineup with a 16-point, 7-rebound, 5-assist, 3-block line, while Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser added solid 3-point contributions. Josh Minott supplied a bright 16 off the bench, and Luka Garza plus Wendell Moore Jr. flashed depth. This game underscored Boston’s versatile rotation and hinted at fantasy opportunities as rotations shake out ahead of the regular season.

With the Celtics improving to 2-1 in four preseason games and Jayson Tatum out, several role players stepped up—Minott’s scoring punch, Hauser’s shooting, and White’s all-around production stand out for fantasy purposes. The Cavs, missing five healthy players and two more injured, faced a deeper Boston squad that fed off a strong bench. The next test comes against Toronto on Oct. 15, a matchup that will further reveal how minutes may be allocated once regular-season rotations set in.

The Celtics host Cleveland at TD Garden in their third preseason game, chasing a better result after a 1-1 start. Jayson Tatum sits with an Achilles issue; Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Jordan Walsh are day-to-day. Cleveland is without Darius Garland and Max Strus, with Sam Merrill also listed as day-to-day. The clash will test Boston’s frontcourt depth against elite bigs and reveal how the rotation might look behind the stars.

Projected lineups pit Boston’s depth against Cleveland’s big trio of Mobley, Allen and Mitchell, with a mix of youngsters like Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Josh Minott, Chris Boucher and Neemias Queta for the Celtics, and Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Deandre Hunter, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen for the Cavs. Game time is 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston and ESPN, with Fubo streaming available. Fantasy-minded viewers should watch minutes and role shifts as rest patterns emerge.

Two teams eyeing tune-ups for the regular season, this matchup offers a glimpse into frontline rotations and which youngsters push for rotation roles as the schedules heat up.

Ten stat-based predictions shape Boston's season: Payton Pritchard should push his assists above five per game as he expands his playmaking role. Jaylen Brown eyes top-five scoring, while Anfernee Simons could emerge as a dynamic secondary scorer. Derrick White projects higher defensive impact, Neemias Queta earns 20+ minutes, and Boston nets a less prolific rebounding season.

Expect volatility: five-game win and five-game losing streaks, a possible late return for Jayson Tatum if contention demands it, and a 44-38 finish to grab the 6 seed. The Celtics won’t lead the league in 3s, but a more versatile attack should keep them dangerous in a crowded East.

Payton Pritchard embraces any role for Boston, stressing that winning trumps starting status. He’s positioned to spark the offense, lead a second wave, and share duties with Anfernee Simons as the Celtics pursue a title. His past first-quarter impact and improving playmaking suggest meaningful fantasy upside whether he enters as a sub or a starter.

With a contract locked through 27/28, Pritchard projects as a versatile cog who can sustain efficiency while taking on creation duties when teammates rest. The focus on pull-up threes, off-ball gravity, and screen-setting hints at a path to steady, flexible value for managers who balance floor time with usage in a crowded Boston backcourt.

The spark narrative underscores a season where role clarity, pace, and spacing drive wins. If Pritchard remains efficient and outspoken about team goals, he becomes a high-upside bench staple or late-rotation starter, delivering fantasy-relevant contributions in multiple lineups.