Boston was able to finish off the Heat and then beat the battered Cavaliers and Pacers without Kristaps Porzingis.
The NBA Finals against Dallas could be very different, which is why it’s good news for the Celtics that Porzingis will likely play. He trained with the team on Friday and ESPN’s Sebastian Christensen said “all signs point” to Porzingis playing in Game 1 on Thursday.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla with the latest on Kristaps Porzingis, who was seen hitting 3s in practice on Friday and moving around really well. pic.twitter.com/ADyy0R7do1
-NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) May 31, 2024
Porzingis will be critical on both ends of the court in the Finals.
On offense, Boston needs five shooters on the floor to pull Dallas’ big rim defenders – Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II – away from the basket, and while backup No. 5 Al Horford hit 3s against Indiana, the Mavericks will challenge him to make again so they can pack the paint. On defense, Porzingis’ mobility as rim protection is important against Luka Doncic, who uses the pick-and-roll to manipulate the defense and put players in impossible positions (as he did in the last series with Rudy Gobert). Porzingis can blitz as needed, but he has the versatility to be part of a team, throwing several different looks at Doncic to try and keep him off balance.
If Porzingis can give Boston more than 25 good minutes per game (ideally closer to 30+), his chances of hanging flag #18 greatly increase.
