Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics: Kristaps Porzingis Enjoying Return to D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Washington Wizards hosted their first NBA giant on Monday with the Boston Celtics coming to town for Game 3 of the regular season.
Not only are the Wizards having to face the known commodities of forward-guard Jayson Tatum and guard-forward Jaylen Brown they also have to go up against the return of forward-center Kristaps Porzingis who was traded to the Celtics this offseason.
"I know what he wants to do, the key is can we stop it," coach Wes Unseld Jr. said about facing Porzingis for the first time since his departure. "I think there's very few secrets in the NBA. We all watch film so you kind of know - knowing it and going out there and doing it - they don't always meld."
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) shoots against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul Reed (44) during the first half at TD Garden.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The job of stopping Porzingis was already made harder pregame when it was revealed by Unself that forward-center Daniel Gafford (ankle) would miss the contest due to the injury he suffered just two days prior.
READ MORE: Daniel Gafford Ruled OUT vs. Celtics
Predictably Boston led from tipoff and raced out to a 77-51 halftime lead with Porzingis shooting 6-of-8 from the floor scoring 13 of his team's points.
Washington knew coming into the game that it would face an uphill battle to win this one.
And while coach Unseld stopped short of calling it a 'measuring stick' game, he did acknowledge the importance of facing such a challenge early in the season.
In order to come away with a big upset win over Boston the Wizards will have to overcome a 26-point deficit which seems even more unlikely when you consider only two players have scored more than six points up to the break.
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