Porzingis injury updates (Update: Dislocated Tendon)

[SparzWizard]

I mean I'm fine with him coming off the bench just for this series. Not like he has a monster contract or anything that should get him to start. C's are on a roll with Horford in the starting lineup. Maybe he can get back his starting role in Game 3-4

[celts55]

No way he’s not coming off the bench, unless they lose a game. It would be ridiculous to change up a lineup that hasn’t lost in so many games. Horford has been terrific, and playing less minutes now, he’ll only get better.

[michigan adam]

I can see kp slowly gaining minutes throughout the finals as he gains his wind back, and also allow hirtford to gain a little rest.  That would be a great outcome.  Remember they can play together some if they both have the energy to play over 24 each...

[SCeltic34]

That one monster dunk felt like it was a "Holy crap, my body is okay" moment for KP.

Well said.  My biggest concern was KP trusting his body again.  He made some good plays before that dunk, but I'm not sure until his brain read that play and he drove in tough against Lively's pressure that he recognized that his body was ready for battle.

[SHAQATTACK]

It was only a flesh wound .

[Vermont Green]

I have heard a lot of Celtics doubters say something along the lines of "Porzingis won't play that well again", but I am not sure I buy that.  He averaged 20 pts/7 rebs in the regular season in about 30 min.  Game 1 he had 20 pts and 6 rebs.  He probably isn't going to play as well as he did in the first half for a whole game, but if you look at this in aggregate, for the whole game, it is not surprising or an outlier.

The other thing is that this was his first game back after missing 5.5 weeks.  Logic says that he will be better in Game 2 than Game 1, and maybe better Game 3 over Game 2, not worse.  If he has some sort of injury set back, that is different, but there is no indication of that.  He looks fine.

If people are putting their hopes in Porzingis not scoring 20 points every game, as a way that the Mavs can get back into this, I think that may be flawed logic.  He may play more evenly over the course of a game, vs. having a really hot quarter, but the result or the impact on the game is the same.

[cman88]

I have heard a lot of Celtics doubters say something along the lines of "Porzingis won't play that well again", but I am not sure I buy that.  He averaged 20 pts/7 rebs in the regular season in about 30 min.  Game 1 he had 20 pts and 6 rebs.  He probably isn't going to play as well as he did in the first half for a whole game, but if you look at this in aggregate, for the whole game, it is not surprising or an outlier.

The other thing is that this was his first game back after missing 5.5 weeks.  Logic says that he will be better in Game 2 than Game 1, and maybe better Game 3 over Game 2, not worse.  If he has some sort of injury set back, that is different, but there is no indication of that.  He looks fine.

If people are putting their hopes in Porzingis not scoring 20 points every game, as a way that the Mavs can get back into this, I think that may be flawed logic.  He may play more evenly over the course of a game, vs. having a really hot quarter, but the result or the impact on the game is the same.

yeah this take I see is really confusing to me. this isnt like sam hauser going off for 20 or 30. its a guy who averaged 20 and 6 putting up 20 and 6?

KP averaged the exact numbers he put up in game 1 all year. my only take is these people have not watched the celtics at all and are unaware of how KP has been playing all season.

[SHAQATTACK]

I think KP is especially grateful to be in finals .  His energy and enthusiasm is contagious,  he should start game 2 .

I think and hope he can continue to help the guys over the hump this year.

[trickybilly]

So… start him in Game 2 or go with him off the bench?

Not starting him really preserved minutes - he only played 20.

I hope they go with KP off the bench again.

Off the bench Game 2. Personally I'd just keep him off the bench all series but if I had to guess, as long as he has no setbacks in Game 2 he could realistically start Game 3. Even in the regular season KP averaged only around 29 minutes a game. I think they are fine keeping him around the 22-25 MPG mark in the Finals, maybe with one game being 28-30+ depending on if it goes OT or it's a close game.

To me, the bench/start decision is stupid, and mainly predicated on salary/ego. Obviously none of that matters for guys trying to win their first chip.

THAT BEING SAID, I would keep Dallas on their toes, and introduce KP after about 6 minutes. Then quickly bench him, and then use him a lot in the second and third, then a big rest in the fourth, then come home for last 4 minutes. Around 26 minutes this game.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

im not worried about 1st or 2nd quarters

our issue is coming out flat in the 3rd. Need KP starting the 3rd for sure so we do not lose momentum.

[Phantom255x]

im not worried about 1st or 2nd quarters

our issue is coming out flat in the 3rd. Need KP starting the 3rd for sure so we do not lose momentum.

That's a good point. Maybe KP should start the 3rd

[cman88]

i feel like KP puts up another efficient 15-20ppg tonight maybe another couple blocks. maybe not in a row like he did last game. but over the course of the game.

I just don't think Dallas has an answer for him. and this is what he did all year. I don't understand the utter shock that a guy who averaged 20ppg and 7rpg put up 20points and 6 rebounds.

my only shock was I wasn't expecting it after him being out for 38 days

[moiso]

i feel like KP puts up another efficient 15-20ppg tonight maybe another couple blocks. maybe not in a row like he did last game. but over the course of the game.

I just don't think Dallas has an answer for him. and this is what he did all year. I don't understand the utter shock that a guy who averaged 20ppg and 7rpg put up 20points and 6 rebounds.

my only shock was I wasn't expecting it after him being out for 38 days

It seems like if guys who have been out for a while hit one of their first couple of shots it can look like they haven't missed a beat.  If they can't get the shots to drop then we blame the rust.  Glad Porzingis got going right away and was blocking shots and swinging from the rim.  We are good enough to be champions without him so I see him as a bonus guy who gives us nothing but gravy.  No pressure on Porzingis but he can surely get some recognition for contributing to winning.  Stevens won us a title when he acquired him and Holliday, and got rid of Smart.

[SHAQATTACK]

Just give us 25 min of floor time . 

They hate a tree standing in the way of seeing the rim.

[Phantom255x]

We need him again