ORLANDO — Kristaps Porzingis was not pleased with his performance in Game 3. He entered Sunday night’s Game 4 with his field-goal percentage sitting at 28.1 percent (9 for 32) in this series, and he is 0 for 10 from the 3-point line.
He was able to generate some offense in Game 2 by drawing contact and getting to the line where he knocked down 10 of 14 free throws. But, outside of that, he has struggled.
Getting him going offensively will be a point of emphasis for the Celtics as Boston attempts to prevent the Magic from evening the series, Payton Pritchard said.
“It’s huge. If he can dominate the paint, we get him going, get him some easy looks, that changes the flow of the game,” Pritchard said. ”If we can get him to bring two [defenders] onto the ball, that will allow some of our shooters and stuff to get easier looks. A lot of that comes off of pick and rolls, him sealing. Obviously he’s always a mismatch, so we’ll be looking for him.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla doesn’t seem to have an issue with the shots Porzingis has been taking. Porzingis said his shot has felt off, and the coach said he simply has to start making the attempts that he gets.
“He’s gotten great looks, he just has to knock them down,” Mazzulla said. “I think he’s been physical for us with his screening, creating some two-on-ones. He’s gotten some good looks and we expect him to make them.”
Pritchard said efficiency in the paint will be key. Mazzulla has noticed the Magic switching and helping less on defense than they were in the previous two games, relying more on individual defense. That can lead to more one-on-one opportunities.
But, Orlando was able to hold its own in those defensive situations in Game 3. Moving without the ball, screening away from the ball, and attacking the rim more aggressively are some of the ways the Celtics can take advantage of Orlando’s strategy, Pritchard said.
“They’re denying off ball,” Pritchard said. “They’re kind of allowing guys to play more one-on-one ball on an island and taking away catch-and-shoot threes and stuff like that. You can tell they’re denying in the corners and stuff like that, so that means we’ve probably got to take it to the rim and be efficient in that area.”
The Celtics’ bench produced just nine points in Game 3, six from Luke Kornet and three from Pritchard. Sam Hauser went scoreless.
Magic coach Jamahl Mosley praised his team’s defensive effort, but said he doesn’t expect to see so little production from the Celtics’ role players again.
“This is a championship basketball team. You expect the best from them,” Mosley said. “They may not have made shots and you take them out of a couple things, but this is a championship basketball team. We expect championship basketball to happen and that’s why we’ve got to focus on what we do and how we can control our game plan.”
One of the keys to getting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown more help on offense is switching up the pace. The Celtics didn’t get into their offensive sets as quickly as it wanted last game.
“Transition, pace of play,” Pritchard said.” I feel like if we get into a halfcourt set, they’re big, they’re long, they’re very good in halfcourt. I feel like even on makes we’ve got to get it out quick and push the pace.”
“Obviously that’s the way I like to play, but the majority of our team, we’re very efficient when we get down the court quick, rather than walking it up and then by the time we get into the offense it’s 10 or 12 seconds and then it allows them to defense one on one and then you’ve got to live with a contested shot. Stuff like that.”
Better defense can also lead to better offense. That’s key for getting the role players going, Mazzulla said.
“Get stops, defend without fouling, get out and play with pace,” the coach said.
Khari Thompson can be reached at [email protected].
