BOSTON -- For the second straight preseason game, the Boston Celtics rolled out their regulars. This time around, though, the game wasn't a blowout. So, a lot of the big-minute guys played the whole game.
After an impressive first half, the Charlotte Hornets slowly caught up. Bit by bit, they chewed into the Celtics' lead. Yet when it came time to close, the Celtics delivered.
A Payton Pritchard-led offensive group eventually closed the deal. Boston found its rhythm on offense just long enough to secure the victory, and its defense did its job when it mattered most.
The Celtics walked out of TD Garden with a 114-93 victory on Wednesday night. The victory brought their preseason record to a still-perfect 3-0.
Up: Jayson Tatum's shot profile
There are still some rough looks. The occasional bad three. Perhaps more than occasional. But the way Jayson Tatum is getting into a rhythm makes a lot more sense than it has in years past.
Tatum started this game with some off-ball looks. Letting Paul George or Derrick White initiate the offense. That created some chances for him.
Then Tatum got to the mid-range. He found his way to the cup for a layup. He made a catch-and-shoot three. He's easing his way into the game, as he should.
By the end of the night, Tatum had 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals. He shot 8-of-17 from the field and 3-of-8 from deep range.
Obviously, it's not perfect. And two games of preseason basketball isn't nearly enough to make any real judgments. But very, very early returns indicate that Tatum will be looking to work up to the on-ball attempts that he's inevitably going to have to take as the Celtics' No. 1 option.
Down: Paul George's offense
It just hasn't been there. Outside of a small stretch to open the Celtics' last game against the Philadelphia 76ers, when George got to the free-throw line a bunch, his offense has looked shaky.
The shots aren't falling. On Wednesday night, he even air-balled a couple of looks. Confidence isn't the problem. George just isn't making shots. He shot 2-of-10 from the floor and 1-of-7 from distance against the Hornets.
As a ball-handler, he looks fine. He's connecting with Boston's bigs at a good rate. Running the pick-and-roll smoothly. But the jumper is off.
Up: Paul George's defense
George's defense, on the other hand, couldn't look much better. He's been the best defender on the Celtics through his two preseason games, and it hasn't been particularly close.
On the ball, he's a menace. At 36 years old, he still looks like he's gliding across the court, even when he's guarding someone 15 years younger than him.
And off the ball is where he thrives the most. Jumping passing lanes. Putting pressure on players who don't expect it. Sprinting back to his man to prevent an open shot. He had two steals on Wednesday night, bringing up his preseason total to seven through two games.
Boston's defense has a chance to be elite this year, and George already looks like the head of the snake. He's been very fun to watch on that side of the ball.
Down: