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.

Boston's preseason signals a pivot toward a youth-infused roster built around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Joe Mazzulla faces a real test balancing an influx of unproven wings (Hugo Gonzalez, Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman) with a center rotation anchored by Neemias Queta, Luka Garza and Xavier Tillman. The aim is upside and cost-controlled development while preserving core star production. A Celtics Chronicle episode with Adam Taylor and Jason Timpf explores the potential shifts in offense, defense and rotation, with the full discussion linked for deeper context.

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.

Boston Celtics intend to push the tempo this season after finishing 30th in pace in 2024-25. New big man Luka Garza described fast, high-intensity practices and a willingness to attack in transition, signaling a clear tempo shift in Boston. A CLNS Media clip captures the energy as Boston aims to generate more possessions and capitalize on fast-break chances, setting expectations for a more up-tempo attack.

Expect fantasy implications through increased possessions and clearer roles as Boston embarks on a faster rhythm, with Garza potentially benefiting from more transition opportunities and a frontcourt rotation that must adapt to the pace rise.