ORLANDO — As each missed shot piled up for Kristaps Porzingis, the frustration was clear for the Celtics big man. He clapped his hands after missing looks he normally made in the regular season as he admitted after the Game 3 loss to the Magic that was part of his irritation as he’s struggled these playoffs.
As the Celtics head into Game 4 against the Magic, they will need Porzingis at his best going forward. The C’s will be without Jrue Holiday as he nurses a right hamstring strain. Jayson Tatum (wrist) and Jaylen Brown (knee) are also dealing with their respective bone bruises, so they need Porzingis to step up for the 7 p.m. Sunday game at the Kia Center.
“It’s huge,” Payton Pritchard said of getting Porzingis going. “If he can dominate the paint, if we get him, get him some easy looks, that changes the flow of the game. If we get him to bring two onto the ball that will also allow some of our shooters and stuff to get easier looks. ... He’s always a mismatch.”
Porzingis has struggled this series against the Magic’s physicality. Even when he does get mismatches, he hasn’t been able to convert looks on guys smaller than him. His 3-point shot has also betrayed him as he’s gone 0-for-10 from deep this series. Porzingis said after Game 3 that his shot feels “janky,” but all he can do is to keep shooting.
The Celtics are naturally at their best when Porzingis is clicking on all cylinders. His skillset on both ends is unique, giving an already-flexible Celtics squad more options when it comes to matchups. The C’s will be without Holiday, a defensive stalwart, as they’ll need the entire roster to make up for the lost production.
Porzingis is averaging 10.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in three games this series, only shooting 28.1% from the field and 66.7% from the free throw line. He was able to get to 20 points in Game 2 courtesy of a 10-for-14 showing from the free throw line. But eventually, the Celtics need their big man to start hitting the shots he knows he can make.
“I haven’t said anything to him, but Kristaps, he’s a great competitor,” Al Horford said. “I know he’ll respond and he’ll be ready to go tonight.”
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