Celtics Pay for Straying from Unfazed Kristaps Porzingis in Loss to Nuggets: 'Ready If That’s What We Need'
On Friday, the Boston Celtics faced a 102-100 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Kristaps Porzingis registered 21 points and eight rebounds.
Porzingis scored a team-high 15 points during the first quarter, but then took six shots for the rest of the match. Nikola Jokic, who also totaled 15 points for the first quarter, finished the contest with 34 points.
With 4:15 remaining in the final quarter, Boston went 1-for-9 in field goal attempts. The Latvia native got no shots during that time.
Per Inside The Celtics, Porzingis explained his offensive mindset against the Nuggets.
“We didn’t force it,” said Porzingis. “I had two post-ups, missed both that are good looks for me. It’s probably different if I make just one of those, maybe we go back two more times. I’m there, ready. I love punishing these guys because we create a mismatch. If Joker is guarding me, then I get those pops and I shoot threes, and they rotate and we make the next play, but if they put a guard on me, I want to make them pay … rebound and post-up and get those fouls. Probably, there were situations where I could’ve done a better job finding that moment to duck in and be aggressive. I’m ready if that’s what we need as a team.”
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla expressed that he would’ve liked to have seen more post-ups from Porzingis but Denver putting a guard on him with both big men nearby served as a deterrent.
“I thought we got at the rim at will,” Joe Mazzulla said. “I thought we had some kick-out threes, could probably get K.P. a couple more post-ups, but they put a small on him, and they (had) both bigs behind, so they were able to crowd the paint a little bit.”
Boston's next game is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 21, against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center; tip-off is at 7:00 p.m. EST.
Further Reading
Here's What Stood Out as the Nuggets Handed the Celtics Their First Home Loss this Season
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'
Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'
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'
