The Mavericks couldn’t find the best way to utilize center Kristaps Porzingis during his three seasons in Dallas.
Three years later, the Mavericks now have a big problem with Porzingis in the NBA Finals.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd said before the start of the series that he didn’t think Porzingis got enough praise for his ability as a shot blocker and someone who can disrupt opponents’ shots.
The 7-footer did both in his exciting return to the court in Boston’s 107-89 victory in Game 1, while also providing a scoring punch (20 points in 21 minutes of action) that fueled the blowout.
It was a complete display of his skill set by Boston that was never fully utilized during Porzingis’ time in Dallas.
“He plays his part,” Kidd said. “I think that’s one of the things that’s underrated about KP. When you ask him to do something, he does it. He doesn’t complain about his role. He goes out and tries to help his team win.” .
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Additionally, he did so in his first game back after missing more than a month of action due to a strained right calf muscle.
“Even if I have time off, I can jump back in and I feel the same way,” Porzingis said. “I know how to do this. That’s all, having that confidence, going out whatever it is, first round or Finals, going out with full confidence and giving what I have to the team.”
Kidd worked with Porzingis for just 34 games during the 2021-22 season before he was traded at the trade deadline to the Wizards. It was an acknowledgment by the Mavs that using him in a system in which he was asked to split time between scoring and shooting 3-pointers didn’t fit star Luka Doncic.
“We’re judged on whether it works or not. That’s just part of the business,” Kidd said.
There’s also a risk that trading a player of Porzingis’ caliber could eventually come back to bite.
In Game 1 he did, with Porzingis igniting an early 17-5 run to help Boston take a 17-point lead in the first quarter.
But it’s what he did on the defensive end throughout the game that had just as much impact.
Two of Porzingis’ three blocks were at the rim, one on Derrick Jones Jr. and one on Josh Green. He also blocked a Kyrie Irving shot.
Dallas’ top big men, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, combined to make 4 of 4 field goals and scored 10 points. But they had no blocks and only eight rebounds.
“He seemed pretty healthy to me,” Gafford said of Porzingis. “We have to find a way to match his energy and physicality.”
Porzingis’ presence in the paint also kept Irving and Doncic quiet. The duo, which had devastated their opponents this postseason in the pick-and-roll by getting 78 dunks or layups off their passes, managed just one such play in Game 1.
“That’s what he’s been doing his whole career. He’s a great player. He’s been great for us. The reason we’re here is because of what he’s done,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said of Porzingis. . “What he did for us (in Game 1) was big and we need that for the rest of the series.”
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2024-06-09 14:50:21
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