Kristaps Porzingis bounces back after “worst game as a Celtic”

The Celtics are back, and so is big man Kristaps Porzingis. Porzingis assured C’s fans there was no reason to overreact. His teammates didn’t even flinch after his poor Game 2 performance.

It was a long couple of days for the Celtics center, after describing Game 2 as “his worst game as a Celtic.” One of the main catalysts for this team’s success, Porzingis told CLNS Media that Boston’s 111-101 loss “burned inside.” In a brutal defeat, he finished 1-9 from the field, and 0-4 from deep. He even finished with a team-low -32 on the floor.

In the C’s 104-84 Game 3 victory over Miami, the Latvian native upheld his promise to remain confident and play basketball as he knows how. He analyzed what he could improve from and delivered on Saturday. His bounce-back showed how incredibly valued he is by this organization. It also shows the faith that his teammates, along with the coaching staff, behold in him.

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

In the blowout, Porzingis finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists on 5-9 field goal shooting and 3-5 from beyond the arc. He was owning his space, getting the whistle calls at the free-throw line, and simply making his shots.

After the game, Jayson Tatum praised Porzingis, calling him the most “important guy on the team.” Falling just short of an NBA championship over the years, the big man is truly the floor spacing, rim protecting savior Boston so badly needed. And when he’s having an off night, it affects their rhythm entirely.

After all, this is why Brad Stevens opted to acquire Porzingis in the off-season. Despite past playoff shortcomings, Porzingis is the player who can propel this team forward. A player that’s been able to fill a huge gap, it’s his innate ability to bring versatility on both offense and defense.

“No doubt in my mind, I knew he was going to have a better game and bounce back,” said Tatum. “Just the way he started off the game on both ends of the floor, being active, when he’s protecting the rim, contesting shots, we’re a whole different team.”

Out the gate, Porzingis was aggressive, scoring the first eight points for the Celtics. All it took was a simple drag screen in transition for Jrue Holiday to find him back door. His spacing was crisper, and his ability to stay patient in the two-man game paid off. The Celtics overall were much more physical.

For C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla, he was all about trusting his big man early on and feeding him from the start. Sure, Tatum and Brown are the heavy hitters on the team. However, it’s Porzingis spacing that opens up opportunities.

Miami’s 84-point total was the lowest of any Celtics opponent scored on the season. Limiting the Heat to 41.6 percent from the field, and 32.1 percent from deep, it was Porzingis who had a profound impact on the defensive end.

With the way the Celtics playing drop defense, Porzingis was much more effective this time in the paint. Although Adebayo scored 20 points for the Heat, he was just 3-10 from the field when guarded by Porzingis. In a two-way performance, the big man had two blocks and one steal to complement his rebound game. The rest of the Heat finished just 7-20 against Porzingis. He had several stops against Jaime Jaquez Jr., and even forced Tyler Herro to turn the ball over when attacking inside.

Jaylen Brown acknowledged the playoffs have their ups and downs. Similar to Tatum, he emphasized why this team values Porzingis in order to achieve banner 18.

“I agree,” Brown told CLNS. “I think each series varies. But especially in a series against Miami where they want to switch and are aggressive, KP just provides that outlet to take the pressure off of everybody. Aggressive KP definitely changes for this team.”