Summer League Gameday Preview: Pistons vs. Celtics
By Joe Dexter
The Detroit Pistons wrap up their pre-scheduled portion of Orlando Pro Summer League play tonight, when they take on the Boston Celtics. Detroit is coming off an impressive come from behind victory over the Miami Heat. Detroit was led by you know who — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who drained 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, including a game winning three with just over 6 seconds left to play. The Pistons are nearly a lock for the Championship game on Friday, but with a win, would finish the scheduled porton of Summer League play undefeated. They’ll face a Celtics team that had a lot of hype heading into last weekend’s start to Summer League play. Now without James Young, that excitement has cooled — yet Boston features the likes of first round pick Marcus Smart and 2013 first round pick Kelly Olynyk. Here’s everything you need to know before tonight’s matchup. The Essentials Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics Date: Wednesday, July 9th Game Time: 7 PM ET Venue: Amway Center Practice Court TV Info: NBA TV Live Stream: NBA Summer League Live (15$) Opposing Viewpoint: Hardwood Houdini Orlando Summer League Standings [table id=17 /] The Lead Detroit is coming off an impressive come from behind victory led by the outstanding play of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Pope, who left in the second quarter after mildly spraining his ankle, bounced back after starting 1-7 from the floor to torch the Heat in the second half. Ian Miller supplemented KCP offensively, and got Detroit back in the ballgame in the second half with a personal 7-0 run to start the third quarter. Now it seems that there’s a good chance Miller could start for Detroit tonight. There’s also a solid possibility that Caldwell-Pope will not play because of ankle soreness and nothing else to prove. Miller could get the start over Peyton Siva, who pulled his hamstring in the first half of yesterday’s contest against Miami. Siva didn’t play in the second half and could sit out tonight, despite needing every opportunity to prove he belongs on the Pistons roster.
Pistons Probable Starters
PG. Louisville. Peyton Siva. 34. player. 64. Siva battled through injury on Tuesday, but ended up sitting out the second half. Ian Miller took over in his spot and really excelled, scoring 16 points — including a 7-0 run to start the 3rd in the comeback win against the Heat. Siva gets the start if he’s healthy, but won’t be surprised to see Miller start either.
5. player. 64. Cold Blooded. After starting 1-6 from the field and leaving the game due to an ankle injury in the second quarter, KCP bounced back with 14 of his 26 points in the 4th quarter, including a game-winning leaner with 6.6 seconds to play against the Heat on Tuesday. It’s fun anticipating what’s next for the OSPL MVP thus far. Bob Beyer could sit him out tonight, which wouldn’t be all that surprising considering he’s proven his point already.. SG. Georgia. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
With KCP out of the game on Tuesday, DeAndre Liggins was the only player really able to muster any offense in the first half. It was an impressive showing for the small forward. 14 points on 3/4 shooting from three point land. I’m starting to believe there’s no doubt he is in the NBA next year.. SF. Kentucky. DeAndre Liggins. 20. player. 64
PF. Richmond. Justin Harper. 32. player. 64. Harper got the start over Brian Cook on Tuesday and had a solid game overall. Defensively, he was tough inside — something that coaches and scouts need to see. He also showed some decent range from three.
North Texas. Tony Mitchell. 9. player. 64. It’s amazing the difference one game makes. Mitchell might of had his best overall performance as a Piston on Tuesday against the Heat. With his highlight dunks came timely rebounds and good defense inside. Mitchell finished with 8 points and 6 rebounds.. C
Celtics Probable Starters
26. player. 18. Pressey is battling to be the fourth guard on the Celtics roster, and is doing everything in Summer League to prove that he can play at this level despite his lack of size. Pressey is averaging 11 points per game and 4.5 assists in Summer League play. Pressey’s defensive ability alone is an asset to the Celtics. Pressey put that on display when he shut down Shabazz Napier earlier in Summer League play.. PG. Missouri. Phil Pressey
36. player. 18. It was a shock when the Celtics drafted Marcus Smart, but this summer league has given a little bit of insight on how they plan on using him in the future. As talented as he is, Smart is just not ready to be an NBA point guard. Yet he is a talented off-guard that can score the basketball. You have to love how he has competed so far though.. PG/SG. Oklahoma State. Marcus Smart
Dayton. Chris Johnson. 12. player. 18. Johnson saw some time with Boston last season in January and had a really good season for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the Developmental League. Johnson averaged 19 points and 7 rebounds a game last season.. SF
41. player. 18. He’s an Orlando Summer League legend. Kelly Olynyk is having another great year in Orlando — averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. Olynyk had his moments last season, and really should benefit from having Jared Sullinger back completely healthy. Depending at what Boston does at center, he might get stuck playing a position he isn’t built for. Still, Olynyk is having a great summer.. PF. Gonzaga. Kelly Olynyk
C. Colorado State. Colton Iverson. 37. player. 18. Iverson really thought he had a chance of making th Celtics roster, but he really hasn’t had a good summer league to this point. Look for the Celtics to feature him more in their last two games of the week. The one thing he needs to work on is his post up game, which probably doesn’t bode well for him making the Celtics roster.