PHILADELPHIA — The Celtics had no intention of using of any of their primary players in Friday night’s preseason finale against the 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
And the lineup the Celtics presented in a 125-120 overtime victory against a healthy and star-studded 76ers’ starting five was stunning to say the least.
With Philadelphia going with former Celtic Jaylen Brown, all-time great LeBron James and perennial All-Stars Joe Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, the Celtics countered with most of their training camp invitees along with their first-round pick, Chris Cenac Jr.
Cenac, who was born when James was finishing his fourth NBA season, got the start along with roster invites Milos Uzan, Tucker DeVries, Gabe McGlothan and Hayden Gray.
All of the Celtics first unit were not even on the bench while the likes of second unit players Luka Garza, Ron Harper, Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman, came off the bench.
The two teams traded blows with their reserves, some fighting for jobs, playing at a feverish pace. Dillon Mitchell drained a critical 3-pointer with 1:31 in OT to help the Celtics finish undefeated (4-0) in the preseason.
Brown, traded to Philadelphia in June after 10 years with the Celtics, played for the first time against his former team, scoring 20 points with eight rebounds in 31 minutes. Celtics frontline players Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Mitchell Robinson, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser were not in the arena.
The younger Celtics competed against the 76ers’ starters deep into the second half. Cenac played 19 minutes and finished with 12 points and eight rebounds before fouling out. Milos Uzan tallied 10 points in 18 minutes.
▪ Hugo Gonzalez finished a sparkling preseason by leading the Celtics with 21 points on 6-for-10 shooting with 4 rebounds. He finished the preseason 19 for 30 from the field and 11 for 20 from the 3-point line. It was a tough night for both Baylor Scheierman (1 for 11) and Ron Harper Jr. (1 for 9 from 3-point range). It was Harper’s second game of the preseason after dealing with a shoulder injury. McGlothan, likely headed for Maine, pulled down 13 rebounds in 22 minutes.
▪ Joe Mazzulla handed coaching duties to assistants Tony Dobbins and DJ MacLeay for the opener against Cleveland and this time he handed the responsibility to veteran assistant Sam Cassell for the finale. Cassell has been a coaching candidate for several vacancies over the years is one of the more respected assistants in the NBA.
“It ain’t about me, it’s about the team,” Cassell said. “I appreciate Joe giving me this opportunity to coach a preseason. But this is not about Sam Cassell. This is about young players who will given an opportunity to play a lot of minutes in a meaningful game to them.”
▪ The Celtics continued to emphasize rebounding during this training camp, pounding the 76ers on the offensive boards, 18-5, in the early going. The Celtics outshot the 76ers, 58-38, in the first half when Philly played their regulars. The only issue with the Celtics’ defense was fouling. The 76ers attempted a whopping 26 free throws in the first half, accounting for 21 of their 60 points.
▪ After their primary players had extended minutes Wednesday, the Celtics had no intention of exposing their veterans to anymore preseason minutes. Friday provided chances for players such as Uzan, McGlothan, Gray and DeVries to play considerable minutes to prepare to join G-League Maine or perhaps sign with other clubs.
▪ NBA teams have until Monday to finalize their rosters, meaning the Celtics will have to make some roster moves this weekend. They still have one two-way spot remaining. It appeared former first-round pick Devin Carter was the favorite, but he has missed the past three games with an illness after being scratched Friday.
▪ The 76ers went with their primary lineup but VJ Edgecombe was the lone projected starter to sit with injury. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. James, playing his first game in Philadelphia with his new team, finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists as he spent most of his 25 minutes facilitating the offense and working on a two-man game with Maxey.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [gary.washburn@globe.com](mailto:gary.washburn@globe.com). Follow him [@GwashburnGlobe](https://www.twitter.com/GwashburnGlobe).