Boston has its back against the wall of Celtics and can be the Center Crystaps on Wednesday without starting Porzingis when they host New York Nix in the Eastern Conference Semifinal Game 2.
Porzingis, who scored 19.5 points per game during a regular session, did not play in the second part of New York’s 108–105 overtime victory in Game 1 on Monday. He returned to the locker room soon after coming out for the second half, which the team called a disease. Porzingis missed eight straight games in March due to a viral disease.
“KP is big for us,” said Boston’s Junior Holiday. “Clearly so versatile, (A) the person who can either play in paint or spread the floor. Protects the rim, protects the paint, blocks the shots and we definitely miss him, but we always have this next-man-up mentality. As long as we don’t know what will happen to KP, what will we just have for the same mentality.”
In the third quarter to win game 1, after Nux crossed the 20-point shortage, Celtics will try to avoid the 0-2 series hole when the scene turns into New York for Game 3.
“This team is special,” said Carl-Antony Town, New York. “Apparently (they are) are defending champions and they are going to create a ruckus and we need to play the next game at a high level.”
The Celtics Game 1 had 15 out of 60 from the 3-point range. 45 missed 3-pointers were the highest in NBA playoff games.
Jason was 4 out of 15 from Tatam Deep, Jelane Brown was 1 out of 10 and Deric White finished 5 out of 16. Boston missed 13 of his 15 3-point attempts in the fourth quarter.
Brown said, “In those moments when the other team gained momentum, we can’t fire just 3S,” Brown said. “To break that speed, you have found to reach the free-thro line, reach the paint, reach the basket, maybe get an easy two. And then, maybe, maybe, the next 3-pointer feels a little better. I think we have settled in the second half just.”
This is the first time Boston is stuck in the NBA series since the final of the 2023 Eastern Conference.
“It pricks,” Brown said. “We let the crowd of our house go down. We are ready for Game 2. In fact, you must have a small memory. We have to throw it and be ready for game 2. We don’t have time to carry the luggage. We will adjust and will be ready to play.”
Narak left a lot of space for improvement. There was 17 out of 31 from the New York Foul Line. In addition, towns and Jalan Brunson played with trouble with each dishonesty. Both players were called for three fouls in the first half. Cities raised their fourth personal with 7:07 in the third.
“This was a great team win,” said Nix Coach Tom Thibodo. “We entered a hole, pulled out our path and made big plays. It is very big under the stretch. It is important for us to understand what it is. It is a win and then (we) to understand that we have to reset and be ready for game 2.”
-Bield level media
