Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis looks to put offensive woes to rest in Game 3 versus Heat

Porzingis scored just six points Wednesday night, going 1-for-9.

By Faith Pinnow

April 26, 2024

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After a disappointing performance in Wednesday’s 111-101 loss against the Heat, Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis is looking to find his offensive groove in Game 3 of Boston’s first round matchup with Miami.

The 7-foot-2 big man struggled mightily during the recent home matchup, going 1-for-9 and scoring just six points.

“I didn’t have a good offensive game at all,” Porzingis said after practice Thursday.

Ever since the Celtics traded for Porzingis last summer, the star center carved out his niche on the team as a highly-reliable two-way player. His prowess lies in his ability to both protect the paint and capitalize on mismatches is what helped boost Boston to 64-18 in the regular season.

However, his presence receded into the shadows in the second Celtics-Heat meeting of the postseason. During Porzingis’ 30 minutes on the floor, Boston was outscored by 32 points.

Coach Joe Mazzulla offered an explanation for Porzingis’s performance Wednesday, crediting Miami with being physical and not allowing themselves to be victimized by the big man’s switching . “We gotta get better physically at holding seals, make better passes, have better spacing. Just put ourselves in positions to see the two-on-ones easier and have better execution,” Mazzulla said following the game.

Moving into Saturday’s Game 3 matchup, Porzingis knows what he needs to be more focused in order to boost his team to the next round of the playoffs.

“I looked at my possessions,” he said, per The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach. “I’ll make sure I’m better offensively, 100 percent.”

The Celtics and the Heat are tied 1-1 for the best-of-seven series. They face off Saturday at the Kaseya Center at 6 p.m.