Celtics Kristaps Porzingis hits dagger three to shut out Hawks

On Wednesday night time, the Boston Celtics took down the Atlanta Hawks in a 125-117 shootout at TD Backyard. The scoring was backwards and forwards all through the sport, and within the last minute, it was Kristaps Porzingis who put the Hawks to mattress with a clutch three-pointer. It put an exclamation level on a stellar night time from the Unicorn.

Porzingis led all scorers on the night time, scoring 31 factors on 13-of-19 from the sphere (2-of-4 from three), three rebounds, two blocks and an help. It was KP’s fifth recreation of 30 factors or extra this season, and Boston’s offense was clicking regardless of Jrue Vacation being sidelined with an elbow harm. Boston’s largest considerations got here on protection towards a gifted Atlanta offense.

“We did that, and we obtained off to an excellent begin offensively,” stated Porzingis, “Not so nice possibly defensively. However then we picked it up additionally within the second half defensively and obtained the job executed.” Atlanta racked up 18 second likelihood factors along with 18 quick break factors over the course of the night time.

On a chilly taking pictures night time from deep for Jayson Tatum (2-of-13 from three), a trio of Porzingis, Al Horford and Derrick White had been discovering their rhythm, scoring a mixed 11 of Boston’s 17 made threes. Jaylen Brown chipped in as properly, scoring 15 factors on a hyper-efficient 7-of-11 from the sphere. The Celtics had six gamers in double figures, 5 of which scored at the least 14 factors towards Atlanta. It’s clear that the Celtics offense has taken a step ahead this 12 months, and it’s in no small half to the addition of Porzingis.

“It’s been actual seamless,” stated Tatum on the addition of Kristaps Porzingis. “I’d say he’s a excessive character particular person, and clearly a participant. It simply makes it simple for all of us on each ends of the ground, his capability to shoot excessive of anyone, assault mismatches.”

Personalities can conflict within the NBA, and the Celtics took a bet and received this previous offseason. It got here with a heavy worth in buying and selling Marcus Good, however the group has undeniably turn out to be a deadly power on offense able to scoring at each degree. It’s been fairly some time for the reason that Celtics had a giant of Porzingis’ caliber, and his influence has been immense in his time with the group.

With the necessity to shore up middle depth behind Porzingis and Horford and the NBA commerce deadline developing at 3PM EST, the Celtics made a shock commerce earlier than the group’s matchup towards the Hawks, buying defensive piece Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies for 2 second spherical picks and Lamar Stevens. Stories are suggesting that Boston is just not executed making strikes as properly, since they face cap restrictions in the summertime as a result of new CBA.

On what recommendation he would supply to Tillman as he learns Boston protection, Porzingis stated “I believe he’s going to have his processor fairly working…It’s a variety of changes on the go…Now we have to be prepared to reply. Regardless of the protection, regardless of the change is, regardless of the matchup is in that second.”

It’s laborious to not get excited concerning the defensive versatility that Tillman brings to the desk. Even the Celtics notice it. “His capability to defend, proper?” stated Porzingis on his new teammate, “A number of positions. He has some instruments offensively that may assist us, however I believe he’s a very robust defender and he can guard a number of guys which goes to be an enormous benefit for us.” With the acquisition, the Celtics add a robust ahead succesful to enjoying each the 4 and 5, and a robust physique that may be sure that KP may be as recent as potential come playoff time.

Boston will take the ground once more after the NBA commerce deadline, as they welcome the Washington Wizards to city on Friday, 7:30 PM EST tipoff.