Preseason: Celtics 101, Knicks 90

Didn't watch the final preseason tuneup, either, but some things from the boxscore point to interesting and encouraging trends.

First, the most obvious stuff: 20 points from Eddie House against the Knicks; 19 from Leon Powe. In the eight preseason games, Eddie averaged 14.1 and Powe 10.6. I wouldn't expect that much from House during the regular season, but I do think Powe can give us something close to that, provided he doesn't split minutes with Glen Davis like he did last year. Preliminary indications are that the backup 4 spot is Powe's to lose, so he'll have the chance to prove himself.

Either way, that these two pick up their scoring is vital to the team's success this year, now that James Posey is gone. You've never had to twist House's arm to get him to try and score, but with Posey gone we need some guys on the second team to assert themselves offensively.

A finally healthy Tony Allen might also be the answer. He had two monster games in the preseason, going for 25 against the Cavaliers and hanging 32 on the nets. However, he was in double figures only two other times. I think I'd prefer a less prolific, more consistent effort from him in the regular season, but we do need him to have the year he was having in 2006-2007 before he blew out his knee.

Bill Walker and Patrick O'Bryant each had two games at the start of the preseason, then contributed little statistically the rest of the way. That's fine, particularly if House, Powe, and Allen can pick up the scoring load on the second team. Walker and O'Bryant will be useful to the team if they can steal minutes of rest for the regulars, chipping in with solid defense, rebounding, and a bucket or two. The key is that when they're out there, they don't hurt the team.

Finally, Sam Cassell as a DNP again, meaning he didn't play during the preseason. Halfway down this article from The Boston Globe there's an item about Sam. I'll quote it, to make it easy:

"Sam Cassell did not play in the preseason, contributing as an unofficial assistant coach. 'If my number is called, I'm ready,' Cassell said. 'I am keeping [the other players] sharp. I've been doing this for a while, it's not something that just started.' Cassell's advice for Pruitt? 'Play the game,' Cassell said. 'He'll be all right. They have been grooming him the whole year. He took his lumps last year and now he's ready to perform and make a statement for himself. He understands he belongs out there. This year he has a swagger and he's ready.'"

It certainly doesn't sound like Sam plans on playing much this year. I had thought that Pruitt was getting minutes just for the sake of getting him some run, but could he have Sam's spot in the rotation?