It doesn’t matter who won or lost, so while the scores are listed below just consider those just a little headline so you know who we are talking about. What we want to know in preseason is who stood out — like Eric Bledsoe and Ty Lawson did in the Clippers/Nuggets game Saturday in Las Vegas. That was a good show. Here are some notes.
Boston 105, Milan 72: My first thought after watching both Celtics game so far this preseason — if Fenerbahce Ulker plays Milan in EuroLeague this season, bet heavily on the Turkish side. As for things about Boston, Jared Sullinger has looked good so far He gets boards and has a knack for making plays around the basket. Also, Rajon Rondo is shooting well. Don’t want to read too much into that from a couple preseason games but it’s something to watch. If he found a stroke the Celtics just got better.
Warriors 110, Lakers 83: The Lakers starters — plus Robert Sacre — looked good in the first 24, but in the second half Mike Brown rolled out the end of the Lakers bench and they scored just 17 points. Total. In 24 minutes. They had a 9-minute scoring drought starting in the third quarter extending to the fourth. The Lakers bench shot 33 percent overall. Which is only a concern because the Lakers starting 5 are not spring chickens. For Los Angeles, Steve Nash looked good (he always does) and so did a more slender and more active Metta World Peace.
For Golden State, Harrison Barnes was aggressive and when he is points and plays follow. Klay Thompson looked good to and was putting the ball on the floor with confidence. Andrew Bogut and Stephen Curry did not play for Golden State.
Hawks 92, Heat 79: Chris Bosh with 22 points on 14 shots (with a hot streak to start the second half). Ray Allen debuted in a Heat uniform and had 10 points, but was just 0-1 from three. Kyle Korver and DeShawn Stevenson started for the Hawks. The one note, Hawks coach Larry Drew used Lou Williams a lot at the point (when Jeff Teague) was out and it looks like that may be a trend.
Bobcats 100, Wizards 88: For Washington, A.J. Price struggled as the starter with John Wall out. Which is bad news only because he is their best point guard left on the roster by a mile. The good new Bradley Beal looked strong dropping 18 points.
As for the Bobcats, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist looked good in his debut.
Hornets 85, Magic 80: Not a pretty game, with both teams shooting just 37 percent on the night. For Hornets fans, Austin Rivers looked every part the rookie with 10 points (on 2-of-6 shooting) and one assist.
Bright spot out of Mexico, Magic fans, is that Gustavo Ayon played well and finished with 12 points (on 5-of-8 shooting), six boards and three assists in 26 minutes.