The we above the I. That should always be the premise in team sports. Boston Celtics It is more than clear. And each of their star players too. The important thing is to get wins, four in the case of the NBA Finals. And Joe Mazzulla’s team already took the first victory 107-89 against Dallas Mavericks. And for that she had a key factor: the return of Kristaps Porzingis.
The Latvian was decisive on both sides of the court. Not only was his ability to score relevant, especially in the first half, but he collaborated on defense with blocks, rebounds and congestion in the painted zone with his huge arms that caused modifications in the Mavs’ shots.
The 20 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks from Porzingiswith a 61.5% effectiveness in field goals in just 20:34 minutes, tipped the balance in favor of the Celtics.
The 2.21 meter long player, owner of the number 8 shirt, surprised his rivals. And not because Jason Kidd’s men did not know the virtues of the Latvian, but because they did not expect him to be so fine in his throws and so aggressive offensively and defensively. after missing ten games of these playoffs due to a right calf injury.
Mazzulla’s determination to use Porzingis as a sixth man was a success: he maintained the dynamic with which the team had reached the Finals and added all of KP’s talent as the first replacement. Although this was only the second time in his NBA career that the Latvian did not play as a starter (the previous one had been more than seven years ago), he filled the assigned role in the best way. What I said: the we above the I.
Kristaps Porzingis and a dream first half
As soon as he entered the game with 7:17 left in the first quarter, Porzingis began to produce. He imposed his size on defense, preventing Luka Doncic from connecting with Derrick Lively, and created spaces on offense: he freed up the paint with his game away from the rim and forced his defender to go look for him away from the rim because he hit the first shots he took .
Porzingis finished the first quarter with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. Not since LeBron James in Game 5 of 2014 has a player scored at least 10 points and two blocks in a first period in the Finals. If we have to look up those numbers for a substitute, we have to go back to 1998.
KP’s contribution had a lot of weight in that 37-20 with which the initial period ended and which marked the course of the match.
Porzingis’ offensive resources are clear and he used them to perfection: when he had the opportunity to take open shots, he did so and if he was pressured, he went to the rim with determination and power.
Porzingis’ influence in the development of the game continued in the second quarter and he reached halftime with 18 points (7 of 9 on field goals, 2 of 3 on three-pointers).
The striking thing is that the Latvian achieved those figures in just 13 minutes, something that no one had achieved in the last 20 NBA Finals.
Porzingis’ future in the series
It was shown that Porzingis can be fundamental as the sixth man of these Celtics.
Whether the Latvian will return to his usual starting position or continue with this role is something only Joe Mazzulla knows.
Regardless of that, which is secondary for Boston as long as it continues on this victorious path, the most relevant thing will be to see in what conditions KP arrives at the next game.
Physically, he seemed fully recovered and the good management of the advantage meant that the coach did not need to demand too much time on the court, although in the third quarter he had another important action with a dunk when Dallas was getting closer on the scoreboard.
These Celtics who lead the NBA Finals 1-0 They defend brilliantly and they score three-pointers, two things that can take them to the top. He has a notable starting five with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford.
And now, they also got Porzingis back. At least for the first game, it was too much for the Mavericks’ resistance.
