Overview

• Boston opens the preseason in Memphis as the first live evaluation of a rebuilt rotation following the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford and Luke Kornet.
• With Jayson Tatum sidelined recovering from Achilles surgery, Brown has been a full participant in camp and is setting the tone vocally and on the floor.
• Coach Joe Mazzulla has stressed a higher tempo and more aggressive defense, noting that playing without a stretch five will change the team’s shot profile.
• The Celtics are integrating several newcomers expected to factor into roles, including Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, Chris Boucher and first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez.
• Probable starters listed by team coverage are Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Brown, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta, though roles remain fluid and some outside analysis has cautioned about Brown’s workload and durability.