“Celtics” coach explains Porzingis’ lackluster offensive performance

“Celtics” recognized the superiority of “Heat” basketball players on their court with the result 101:111 (27:28, 34:30, 18:27, 22:26).

Porzingis scored only six points in this match, hitting only one of nine shots. The Latvian’s trump card this season was an effective back-to-the-basket game. However, in this game, in three attacks in which Porziņgis made a shot from the post, the Latvian basketball player was not accurate.

The Latvian’s performance in the post is often the basis of the Boston “Celtics” attack, even if he does not shoot at all. Mazula praised the “Heat” defense after the game, stating that the opponents managed to push Porzingis further away from the basket.

“They played physical. They pushed [Porziņģi] further away from the basket, complicating our ability to use cover shifts. This season it is [Porziņģa spēle postā] has given us variety in attack. In such situations, it is necessary to work on the arrangement of the free area. In some of these episodes, we failed to do that,” Mazula said.

“Heat”, which is playing without the injured leaders Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, managed to level the result in the series to four wins (1-1) with this victory.

The next two games are in Miami. Both teams will play the third game of the series on the night of April 28 at 1 Latvian time.