Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Celtics Praise Kristaps Porzingis for a 'Seamless' Integration and His Offensive Evolution
The Boston Celtics defeated the Atlanta Hawks in their playoff rematch, 125-117. Atlanta's offense, even without Dejounte Murray, was able to put up a fight in Boston that came down to the final quarter.
Kristaps Porzingis put up a scoring masterpiece with 31 points, three rebounds, and two blocks, shooting 13-19 from the field.
Some Celtics' teammates painted the picture of what Porzingis had provided with the big man embedded with Boston's core.
Al Horford, who had a typical revenge outing against the Hawks in maybe his best offensive night of the season with 14 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, and four blocks with four threes. He described what his front court mate has brought.
"I think we're pretty close to clicking and I feel like KP's come along pretty quickly," Horford said. "I feel like Joe throws a lot of things at him, for him to do, and challenge him. And he just continues to find a way and he's having that impact offensively, and defensively, he's, I feel like he's continuing to get comfortable with everything that we need to do."
Horford detailed more of what Porzingis has brought offensively.
"But then on offense, I feel like he's kind of, he's already there," he said. "And now he's also starting to make plays if he's double or triple-teamed, He's passing the ball and creating those advantages and things like that. So, I feel like offensively he's already there."
Since day one of the preseason, Porzingis and Jayson Tatum have shown brilliant flashes in their two-man game as a tandem, sort of like the big man and Jaylen Brown have. Tatum also talked about Porzingis' integration and the philosophy he has brought to the Celtics.
"It's been great," Tatum said. "It's been real seamless. I would say (a) high character person and obviously, (as) a player, it just makes it easier for all of us on both ends of the floor. His ability to shoot over the top of anybody (and) attack mismatches, so, with our space, our drive-and-kicks, we've just got to pass the pill and make the open reads. And we've always, essentially, (got) four to five guys out there that can shoot, pass, and dribble, and KP is at the top of that list."
Boston's core will continue to grow together during this second-half stretch of a path to their championship pursuit.
Further Reading
Celtics React to Xavier Tillman Trade: 'We Paid a Lot of Attention to Him'
Celtics Strike Deal for Grizzlies Center
Celtics Linked to Multiple Wings Leading Up to Trade Deadline
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Jayson Tatum Shares What Went Through His Mind Seeing Celtics Fans Celebrate Marcus Smart
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Celtics Finding Joy in Basketball and Each Other's Company: 'We've Been Blessed'
Fixated on Winning, Jayson Tatum Again Proves He's Not 'Bored Making the Right Play Over and Over'
Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
