CELTICS ARE TOAST
6 minutes into the first game of the season and we had Gordon Hayward's foot pointed the wrong direction. Not ideal. And things are going to get worse for the C's before they get better. Hayward was supposed to play a huge role for this team, helping to defend athletic wings while also taking some of the play-making burden off of Kyrie Irving. Now, Marcus Smart is also unlikely to play tonight in Philly after tweaking his ankle.
The Celtics 8-man rotation was projected to be: Irving / Brown / Hayward / Tatum / Horford / Smart / Rozier / Baynes
The Celtics staring lineup tonight will likely be: Irving / Brown / Tatum / Horford / Baynes / Rozier / Ojeleye / Nader
No Smart to lead the second unit, which means Brad Stevens is going to be leaning heavily tonight on Semi Ojeleye (2nd-rd rookie), Shane Larkin, and D-League All-Star Abdel Nader.