Sports Editorial (USA), Nov 25 (EFE).- Full party in Boston. The Celtics crushed the Los Angeles Clippers this Monday, who were already down 29 points at halftime, and also celebrated the return of Kristaps Porzingis in style.
The Latvian giant was fundamental in last season’s ring but finished the course in cotton wool and had surgery right after the Finals for an injury to the tibial tendon in his left leg.
Any team would miss a piece as unique and differential as Porzingis, but these Celtics are not just any team, they have won six in a row and survived the absence of the center with the second best record in the league (now 15-3) only by behind the historic and surprising Cleveland Cavaliers (17-1).
In his debut this season, Porzingis started, played 23 minutes and contributed 16 points (6 of 12 on field goals, 1 of 6 on triples), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 2 blocks. He stood out in the two facets that make him so valuable in those in green: internal intimidation and external threat.
Porzingis’ return clearly inspired his teammates, who ran roughshod over the Clippers. Especially wild was the second quarter, in which the Celtics made 12 three-pointers, tying the NBA record in a period.
Jayson Tatum (20 points and 9 rebounds), Payton Pritchard (20 points with 6 of 10 in triples) and Derrick White (19 points with 5 of 9 in triples and 7 assists) were the Celtics’ top scorers with 22 of 51 in triples.
On a ‘back-to-back’ night for both teams, the Clippers (11-8) took the brunt of it and their defense, one of the best in the NBA, received 51 points in the second quarter.
In this defeat, which ended the Angelenos’ five-game winning streak, the most productive were Ivica Zubac (23 points and 10 rebounds) and James Harden (19 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists).
Received with a hero’s ovation at the TD Garden, Porzingis entered the game with enthusiasm, played four triples in just over three minutes (he made one) and made clear his defensive power in the zone.
Porzingis had all eyes on him but the most active in the first quarter was Tatum, with 9 points and 7 rebounds for the Celtics to set the pace (27-20) despite their weak 4 of 17 in triples.
Nobody remembered that blur on the perimeter when the triples began to rain in the second quarter.
A spectacular 12 of 17 were signed from the outside by some overwhelming Celtics. White was the best with 4 of 4 in triples but Brown also stood out with 3 of 4 and Pritchard with 3 of 5.
The Clippers conceded 51 points in total, surrendering to an almost incontestable evidence nowadays: when the Celtics get three-pointers, there is nothing to do.
With a 79-48 at halftime, Zubac (17 points and 6 rebounds) kept things going for the visitors while the locals stood out Tatum (14 points and 8 rebounds), Jaylen Brown (15 points), White (14 points) and Pritchard (12 points).
The Celtics fell asleep during the restart and the Clippers did not waste it, so a 7-23 run left the margin at ‘only’ 15 points (86-71 with 4.19 to go).
There was no time for the Boston fans to get nervous since, after Joe Mazzulla’s timeout, two triples by Pritchard and one by Sam Hauser returned the difference to around 20 points.
The history of the game ended there. The Celtics entered the final quarter with a 99-78 lead, allowed themselves the luxury of reserving their stars and closed the party for Porzingis’ return with the substitutes. EFE
