The Boston Celtics have their backs against the wall and could be without starting the Kristaps Porzingis center on Wednesday when they welcome the New York Knicks in match 2 of the semi-finals of the Eastern Conference.
Porzingis, which raised an average of 19.5 points per game on average during the regular season, did not play in the second half of the New York 108-105 victory in extension in match 1 on Monday. He returned to the locker room shortly after his release for the second half with what the team called a disease. Porzingis missed eight consecutive games in March due to a viral disease.
“KP is big for us,” said Jrue Holiday de Boston. “Obviously, so versatile, (a) the person who can play in painting or stretch the ground. Protects the rim, protects the painting, blocks blows and we certainly miss ourselves, but we have always had this next handing mentality. Until we know what is happening with KP, we should have this same mentality.”
After the Knicks overcome a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to win match 1, the Celtics try to avoid a 0-2 hole when the scene moves to New York for match 3.
“This team is special,” said Karl-Anthony Towns from New York. “Obviously (they are) the reigning champions and they will come back hungry and we have to play the next match at a higher level.”
The Celtics were 15 out of 60 in the 3 -point range in match 1. The 45 -points 3 points were the largest in an NBA eliminatory match.
Jayson Tatum was 4 out of 15 of Deep, Jaylen Brown was 1 in 10 and Derrick White finished 5 out of 16. Boston missed 13 of his 15 attempts in 3 points in the fourth quarter.
“In times when the other team had momentum, we can’t just draw 3s,” said Brown. “To break this momentum, you must go to the free throw line, get to painting, go to the basket, maybe get a two easy. And then, perhaps, the next 3 pointer feels a little better. I have the impression that we have just settled in the second period.”
This is the first time that Boston has been in an NBA series since the final of the Eastern Conference in 2023.
“It stings,” said Brown. “We drop our crowd. We are looking forward to the match 2. In reality, you must have a short memory. We have to throw it away and we prepare for match 2.. We don’t have time to leave the things report. We are going to make adjustments and we prepare to play.”
The Knicks have also left a lot of room for improvement. New York was 17 out of 31 from the line of fault. In addition, Towns and Jalen Brunson each played with big problems. The two players were called to three faults in the first half. Towns picked up his fourth staff with 7:07 to do in the third.
“It was a big team victory,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. “We entered a hole, we got out and made big games in the section. It is huge for us. The important thing for us is to understand what it is. It is a victory and then (we must) understand that we must reset and prepare for match 2.”
– field level media
