Monday, October 31, 2016

Celtics will Exercise Options for Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier through 2017-18



After Marcus Smart revealed he will make his regular season debut Wednesday night against the Bulls, team officials announced that they will be picking up his contract option that will keep him in Boston through the 2017-18 season.

The Celtics will also be exercising Terry Rozier's third-year option. Smart is set to earn $4.5 million next season -- a bargain for someone who's expected to be the team's sixth man off the bench.

CWS Podcast - Tip Off Week


Celtics have tipped off their 2016-17 season, and fans are not too impressed with the first three games, despite the bench not being at full strength. We breakdown the C's weaknesses, Brad Stevens' decision making thus far and look ahead to this week's schedule. Plus we discuss the potential of Avery Bradley becoming the next star and thoughts on what Al Horford's role should be as the year goes on. We'll also take you around the NBA with the latest headlines. Take a listen below to Episode 57 of the Causeway Street Podcast.

Marcus Smart Will Make Season Debut Against Bulls


Marcus Smart declared himself ready for game action today after his first official practice.

"I went through the full practice. The ankle felt great," Smart said. "I will be playing Wednesday, so it feels good to be back out here with those guys."

Smart, who sprained his ankle in the last game of the preseason, missed the first three games of the year for the Celtics.

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Celtics 104 - Hornets 98: Bradley's Eight 3's Buries Charlotte



Avery Bradley had himself a night.

Bradley went off for 31 points including a career high eight three pointers to led the way to a Celtics 104-98 victory over the Hornets.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Bulls 105 - Celtics 99: Wade Sinks C's in Homecoming



The new look Chicago Bulls were supposed to come into the 2016-17 regular season with an Achilles heel in the form of three point shooting. Jimmy Butler, Rajon Rondo, and Dwayne Wade are all great offensive players, but none of them have shown the ability to have any semblance of a reliable 3-point stroke.

That was until last night.

Report: R.J. Hunter Agrees to 1-Year Deal with Bulls



The Celtics will see a familiar face on Wednesday night in Chicago -- someone they called a teammate no less than five days ago.

The Bulls have reportedly signed R.J. Hunter to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Goodman. 

Isaiah Thomas Shows Improved Playmaking Skills



In his sixth NBA season, Isaiah Thomas is blossoming into an efficient playmaker -- a facet of his game that will strengthen the Celtics offense in the long run and help him finish strong in the fourth quarter.

Thomas made back-door passes to his bigs and bounce passes in transition and found his teammates open from the perimeter with ease during Wednesday night's 122-117 win over the Nets. When he penetrated the paint and drew double teams, Al Horford -- Thomas' new favorite pick-and-roll partner -- was a great target for Thomas in the post.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Celtics 122 - Nets 117: Isaiah Thomas' 25 points secures win in season opener


The Celtics looked like they would cruise to a double-digit win before a 23-point lead dwindled down to eight with 2:31 left to play. Brad Stevens immediately looked to his starters to come in and stop the bleeding, and Isaiah Thomas hit a pair free throws to seal a 122-117 victory against the Brooklyn Nets at the TD Garden on Wednesday night.

Celtics Pregame: Stevens isn't Setting Any Expectations, Kelly Olynyk Update



Moments away from the start of the 2016-17 season, Brad Stevens spoke to the media about the high expectations set for his team and how he plans to handle the tough task of heading into Wednesday's season opener against the Nets without two of his best guys off the bench -- Marcus Smart and Kelly Olynyk.

Olynyk has been given a timetable for his return and has already begun participating in full contact sessions.

2016-17 Celtics Season Preview



With a new NBA season on the horizon comes renewed faith for all hoop fans. The 2016 version of the Boston Celtics are no different.  The C's enter the 2016 campaign on the heels of a disappointing six game, first round beat down at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks. Some C's faithful will point to key injuries to a handful of Celtics stars but unbiased fans will agree, they simply weren't good enough.

CWS Podcast - Celtics Preview


After six months, the Celtics are back and ready to tip-off the 2016-17 season! We give you our yearly predictions including a preview of the C's and the rest of the NBA with Causeway Street writer and Off the Wagon Sports Radio co-host Zach Peloquin. Plus we take you around the league with the latest headlines in our 'In Case You Missed It' segment. Click below to listen to Episode 56: Celtics Preview

2016-17 Predictions


The NBA regular season is back!

It's that time of the year where the Celtics look to make some noise between the World Series and NFL Sundays. The 2016-17 season tips off on Wednesday night for the C's and here on Causeway Street, we got your predictions all ready to go.

Here's our roundtable discussion on all things Celtics and NBA related below:

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Celtics pay Tribute to Craig Sager



At the end of practice on Tuesday, the Celtics took a group picture wearing multicolored t-shirts that only TNT's NBA sideline reporter Craig Sager would approve.

Sager, who is currently battling leukemia, was honored by the Celtics in support of the SagerStrong foundation. Inspired by Sager's trademark look of multicolored suits, the Celtics players and coaching staff donned the t-shirts for the group photo and yelled "Sager strong."

Marcus Smart (ankle) out for 2 Weeks



It wasn't the kind of start to the 2016-17 regular season that the Celtics envisioned for Marcus Smart but when he went down in their preseason finale against the Knicks, Smart knew he wouldn't be ready for Wednesday's season opener against the Nets.

Following last week's game against New York, Celtics officials announced that Smart sprained his left ankle and were hopeful that he wouldn't miss any games. However, the third-year guard announced on Tuesday after practice that he will miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Celtics Cut RJ Hunter - James Young Claims Last Roster Spot


The hot ticket debate of the Celtics Preseason is over. 

According to a report by CSNNE.com, on Monday morning the Boston Celtics waived former 2015 first round pick, RJ Hunter to trim the roster down to 15. This means James Young who was battling with Hunter all preseason for that final spot, has made the C's final squad.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Celtics release Ben Bentil, looking to trade R.J. Hunter or James Young for 2nd-Round Pick, According to report



The Celtics are one move away from reaching the 15-man regular season roster limit.

After waiving Jalen Jones, Damion Lee and Marcus Gerorges-Hunt on Thursday, the C's released Providence standout Ben Bentil on Friday -- trimming their roster down to 16. If the Celtics hope to sign Bentil to a spot with their D-League affiliate, Maine Red Claws, he's going to have to clear waivers.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

CWS Podcast - Best of 2016


As the Celtics wrap up their training camp, we debate on who will make the final roster. Plus re-live some of the best moments from the 2015-16 season. We're finally bringing you the best of Causeway Street: highlights of our guests, predictions and overall craziness from the past year, the most random clips we could dig up, with a special 'in case you missed it' which includes a tribute to a Boston icon. Enjoy Episode 55 below

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

James Young, R.J. Hunter Battle for Final Roster Spot



With one final exhibition game left on the schedule, the battle for the last roster spot has intensified. James Young and R.J. Hunter figure to be battling it out to the end.

The Celtics have until the end of the week to determine who will fill out the back end of their 15-man roster and Young and Hunter have both made strong cases for themselves in their last two games.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Isaiah Thomas (19 points in 15 minutes), Celtics Blow Past Nets at TD Garden



The Celtics looked like they're more than ready for their season opener against the Nets.

Isaiah Thomas only needed 15 first-half minutes to score a game-high 19 points as the Celtics plummeted the Nets, 120-99 in their second-to-last tune up before the start of the regular season.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

R.J. Hunter's (17 points), Celtics impressive Shooting Tops Knicks at Madison Square Garden



In what didn't feel like a preseason matchup, the Celtics' offense erupted by scoring 119 points in their final road game before the regular season.

The Celtics shot nearly 60 percent (58.9) from the floor en route to a 119-107 win over the Knicks. After holding onto a double-digit lead for most of the game, the Knicks cut their deficit to six points before R.J. Hunter went off in the fourth quarter -- where he scored most of his game-high 17 points on 6-of-8 shots, including 2-of-4 from deep.

Friday, October 14, 2016

CWS Podcast - Celtics Preseason


The Celtics are halfway through their preseason schedule, we discuss Marcus Smart's progress as a potential 'sixth man' and our thoughts on Al Horford so far. We also debate who we think the odd man out is between James Young and RJ Hunter by the end of training camp. Plus we take a trip around the NBA as we talk Paul Pierce and Draymond Green regarding Kevin Durant's decision and much more. Enjoy this episode of the Causeway Street Podcast by clicking on the link below:

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Celtics Preseason: Celtics 100 - Nets 97



The Celtics reserves capped a 7-2 run in the final three minutes to push the C's to a 100-97 win at the Barclay Center on Thursday.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Paul Pierce Plans to Retire a Member of the Celtics



Paul Pierce plans to retire as a member of the Boston Celtics next summer.

In an interview with SiriusXM, the 19-year veteran said that retiring with the team that drafted him in the 1998 NBA Draft is important to him and to all Celtics fans.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Celtics Preseason: Celtics 104 - Hornets 86


In a game where Brad Stevens rested four of his five starters and had to do without backup guard Terry Rozier in the second half, the Celtics defeated the Hornets in their second consecutive preseason matchup, 104-86.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Celtics Preseason: Celtics 107 - Hornets 92


In their second preseason contest, the Celtics defeated the Hornets, 107-92, but will shift their focus on Isaiah Thomas -- who suffered a sprained left wrist in the third quarter and never returned.

Thomas got caught behind a screen by Hornets center Roy Hibbert and immediately left the game. Team officials are saying it's a "slight sprain."

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Celtics Preseason: 76ers 92 - Celtics 89



In a game where none of the Celtics starters played more than 20 minutes, the reserves came up short in the final seconds as the 76ers topped the C's in their preseason debut at the Mullins Center in Amherst.

Celtics link arms, hold hands during National Anthem



The Celtics chose to embrace the term 'unity' when they locked arms during the national anthem before their preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night, in response to the police brutality witnessed across the nation.

Jae Crowder excited to start the season


As the Celtics begin their preseason schedule against the 76ers at the Mullins Center in Amherst, there's no one more excited to get the 2016-17 season underway than C's swingman Jae Crowder.