Monday night felt like the beginning of a repeat championship tour for the Boston Celtics (15-3).
The Celtics got their 15th win of the season and their sixth consecutive win with a 126-94 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Boston did catch Los Angeles in the second night of a back-to-back, but they showed out with a big win. Their dominating win and the 51-point second quarters weren’t the biggest storylines of the night, however.
Porzingis makes season debut
On Monday, the Celtics saw the debut of power forward/center Kristaps Porzingis for the first time this season.
Porzingis was one of the biggest reasons why the Celtics defeated the Dallas Mavericks in last year’s NBA Finals. He missed the last portion of the Finals due to a hamstring injury that needed surgery and five to six months to recover afterwards.
Porzingis played like he never left the court in the Finals by scoring 16 points making 6-of-12 in field goals and going 3-of-4 at the free-throw line. He also accounted for six rebounds, two assists, one steal, two blocks and only one turnover.
He was one of six players to score double-digit points Monday night, but he set the tone in the paint. Porzingis is one of the core players for a Boston team that should be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
Porzingis setting the tone early
It isn’t known if Porzingis is fully healthy, but he definitely hasn’t been conditioned enough yet this season in real gametime experience. So far, so good for the glue to team and one of the more undervalued players heading into the NBA Finals.
It just one game and he is already receiving high praise. On Tuesday, Porzingis received great complements from the Run It Back crew, especially analyst Chandler Parsons.
“This guy just adds a whole another dynamic. We know what he could do, shooting the ball, pick and pop wise. He did this last year to invest some time, he came back, his return game was electric.
“He’s so good when he gets switches and he gets smaller guys that off the block, post up, kind of faces you, shoots right over you. And last night, you could tell some of these moves he’s been working on.”
“He was in great shape last night. He looks strong. He looks fit. This doesn’t look like a guy that’s missed a lot of time… 23 minutes, 16 points.”
Parsons added: “I think they’re going to continue to build that up and get more and more reps for him.
“But as a guy that takes time off and when you can’t simulate real game action, he looked unbelievable last night.”
“He gives this great three point shooting team, even another piece where he’s arguably their best shooter. So, it’s the rich get even richer.”
The Clippers defense had been in good form – but they were not ready for the Celtics being boosted by Porzingis’ return – and the rest of the league is on notice.
