Celtics Kristaps Porzingis hits dagger three to close 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 ultimate 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 in opposition to a proficient Atlanta offense.

“We did that, and we obtained off to a great 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 achieved.” Atlanta racked up 18 second probability factors along with 18 quick break factors over the course of the night time.

On a chilly capturing night time from deep for Jayson Tatum (2-of-13 from three), a trio of Porzingis, Al Horford and Derrick White have 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 a minimum of 14 factors in opposition to Atlanta. It’s clear that the Celtics offense has taken a step ahead this yr, 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 might say he’s a excessive character individual, and clearly a participant. It simply makes it straightforward for all of us on each ends of the ground, his capacity to shoot excessive of anyone, assault mismatches.”

Personalities can conflict within the NBA, and the Celtics took a chance and gained this previous offseason. It got here with a heavy value in buying and selling Marcus Good, however the crew has undeniably turn out to be a deadly power on offense able to scoring at each stage. It’s been fairly some time because the Celtics had a giant of Porzingis’ caliber, and his impression has been immense in his time with the crew.

With the necessity to shore up heart depth behind Porzingis and Horford and the NBA commerce deadline developing at 3PM EST, the Celtics made a shock commerce earlier than the crew’s matchup in opposition to the Hawks, buying defensive piece Xavier Tillman from the Memphis Grizzlies for 2 second spherical picks and Lamar Stevens. Studies are suggesting that Boston shouldn’t be achieved 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 feel he’s going to have his processor fairly working…It’s lots of changes on the go…We have now to be prepared to reply. Regardless of the protection, regardless of the change is, regardless of the matchup is in that second.”

It’s arduous to not get excited in regards to the defensive versatility that Tillman brings to the desk. Even the Celtics notice it. “His capacity to defend, proper?” stated Porzingis on his new teammate, “A number of positions. He has some instruments offensively that may assist us, however I feel he’s a very sturdy 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 powerful ahead succesful to taking part in each the 4 and 5, and a powerful physique that may guarantee that KP may be as contemporary as doable 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.