The Summer Celtics are facing the summer heat. These franchises last met in the Eastern Conference Finals where the 8th seeded Heat defeated the 2nd seeded Celtics in 7 games to move into first place. NBA Finals. While the rivalry with these teams’ version of the Summer League is less, it’s a rivalry no less, and these two franchises really don’t like each other.
This is the first match for both teams in Las Vegas Summer League. However, the Heat did play in the California Classic, finishing with a 1-1 record. They averaged 95 points and 33.5 rebounds in those games. They shoot 47.5% from the field and 42.2% from outside the arc. The experience in California can give The Heat an edge when it comes to chemistry and actually getting ready.
The Celtics are coached by Assistant Head Coach Tony Dobbins, who has been an assistant to the Celtics since 2020, under Brad Stephens, Amy Odoka, and Joe Mazzola. He served as the Celtics’ video coordinator during the 2019-20 season. The Heat is coached by Caron Butler, who has been an assistant coach for the Heat since 2020. He was the 10th pick in the 2002 draft by the Miami Heat and played 14 seasons in the NBA for 9 different teams.
As with every summer league, it is difficult to predict the starting line-up because coaches are looking to try out different formations and combinations of players and want to get an idea of what each player brings to the table. The Heat used the same starters for both games in California and the same players may or may not start in this game. For the most part, evaluating players to see which ones fit into the roster is more important to these coaches than winning matches.
Celtics roster
JD Davison #20
Kamar Baldwin #26
Jordan Walsh #27
Jay Scrap #29
Michal Mulder #37
Justin Bean #38
Vincent Valerio Bowden #41
Sam Grisell #45
Olek Balcerowski #50
Udoka Uzubuike #51
Reggie Kisunlal #55
Justin Champagne #99
possible appetizers
PG: JD Davison
Secretary General: Michal Mulder
SF: Jordan Walsh
PF: Udoka Uzubuike
A: Olek Palcerowski
Coach
Tony Dobbins
players to watch
JD Davison
Davison was the Celtics’ 53rd pick in the 2022 draft. He was a two-way player with the Celtics last season. He played 26 games with the Maine Celtics and averaged 12.5 points and just under 9 assists per game. He played in the 12th minute for the Celtics. According to SL coach Tony Dobbins, Davison adopts his role as a point guard and actively directs his teammates on the court.
Jordan Walsh
Walsh was the Celtics’ 38th pick in the 2023 draft. He is 6’7″ tall with a wingspan of 7’3″. He averaged 7.1 ppg at Arkansas last season on shooting 43%. He can defend 1-5 and with it he is selfless and hardworking. He just signed a 4-year, $7.6 million contract with the Celtics. If he can make an impact in the Summer League, he might find a spot in the Celtics’ rotation this season.
Michael Mulder
Mulder is the oldest player on a Celtics summer league team at 29 years old. play for favor Golden State Warriors in the 2019-20 season but was waived after that season. He had short stints with Orlando and Miami and played last season with the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the J-League. He averaged 17.3 points while shooting 40.4% from outside the arc.
heat list
Nikola Jovic #5
Jamal Cain #8
Drew Smith #9
Jaime Jacques Jr. #11
Orlando Robinson #25
Jamaree Bouyea #71J
Austin Powell #72
Caleb Daniels #74
Trenton Meisner #75
Alunds Williams #76
Drew Peterson #81
Taylor Funk #83J
A’ from Franklin #84
Brandon McCoy #94
Patrick Gardner #95
possible appetizers
PG: Jaime Jaquez, Jr.
Secretary General: Drew Smith
SF: Nikola Jovic
PF: Drew Peterson
A: Orlando Robinson
Coach
Karon Butler
players to watch
Nikola Jovic
Jovic was the Heat’s 27th pick in the 2022 draft. He’s a large, skilled winger who can do a little bit of everything on the basketball court. This is his second summer league with the Heat. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2 assists in 2 California Summer League games immediately prior to this game.
Jaime Jacques Jr
Jaquez was the 18th pick in the 2023 draft after spending 4 years at UCLA. He had 22 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in Game 1 of the California Summer League Classic but only 4 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists in Game 2.
Odig hunt
Audige was undrafted from Northwestern. He is a devastating defender who can score from outside the arc. In his first California Classic game he finished with 18 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist while shooting 4-of-7 on 3-pointers off the bench.
game keys
shooting – The Celtics will be looking for players who can shoot from the outside and also who can finish the ball in the basket. They will also be looking for players who can support the wingers and point guards.
defense The Celtics have placed a premium on playing defense in the past and will be looking to see which Summer Celtics fit into that mold. JD Davison has already said that he plans to show that he can be a dog on the defensive end and that Jordan Walsh is also a very good defender.
chemistry – The Heat have already played 3 games in California and will have an advantage in their chemistry. The Heat won their first game in California but then lost their second, but I imagine they built some chemistry along the way. Will the Celtics be able to quickly develop chemistry and play together on both ends of the field?
X-factors
It’s the summer league – While teams want to win, each of those teams is largely cobbled together from underrated players, bench end players, and G-League players. They’ve had limited training time for the most part so it’s hard to know how each team will play and which teams will dominate. One thing is for sure, every player is trying to be noticed and earn a spot on the list and so we might see some players surprise us.