The Boston Celtics were expected by many to sweep the Miami Heat in the first round, especially since Jimmy Butler has been ruled out for multiple weeks with an injury. But the Heat defied the odds in Game 2 on Wednesday night, as they handed the Celtics a 111-101 loss at TD Garden.
There were a number of reasons why the Celtics fell prey to an understaffed Heat side, and among those was the forgettable play of big man Kristaps Porzingis, who shot just 1/9 from the field and went 4/4 from the free throw line for six points.
Boston Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis Struggled Mightily in Game 2 Loss to the Heat
Porzingis had eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks, but none of those were able to keep him out of an embarrassing all-time franchise club of Celtics players who had a plus/minus rating of minus-32 or worse in a playoff game. The Latvian unicorn ended up with a minus-32 after jogging up and down the court for 30 minutes.
Kristaps Porzingis joins this group of Celtics players to be a -32 or worse in a playoff game: pic.twitter.com/Mmnj28MHrz
— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) April 25, 2024
Social Media Reacts To Porzingis’ Bad Night vs Miami
“I knew Luka hate was real when Porzingis openly admitted he quit in the playoffs while on the Mavs and y’all still sided with him lol, posted @CuhWristChin_ on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter).
“KP has to be better. Half of everyone’s excitement about Boston this year is what Porzingis does for them. Can’t ever be that quiet or let Bam dominate like that,” said @JonesOnTheNBA.
Bam Adebayo seeing “Kristaps Porzingis” in front of him at TD Garden https://t.co/kRlxt2w3oj pic.twitter.com/yksRvKo32g
— NateWithThaVibes (@vibes_nate) April 25, 2024
Worst game of Porzingis career + Heat dark magic💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/UXXfwaSw5o
— 💫 (@abreuuuuu_) April 25, 2024
“Celtics need more from Holiday, White and Porzingis to win this one. Tatum and Brown have done, and will continue to do, their part. The other guys need to be better,” said Keith Smith.
“Porzingis is having a lot of trouble with the foul line post-ups tonight. Now 1 for 9 overall,” reacted
Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.
Despite the brutal loss to the Heat and his letdown showing in Game 2, it’s not the end of the world for Porzingis and the Celtics. Perhaps the loss on Wednesday was just a timely reminder for Boston that nothing is going to be handed to them on a silver platter in the playoffs.
Porzingis will look to bounce back in Game 4 when the Celtics visit the Heat’s residence at Kaseya Center.
For More NBA And College Basketball Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @Rexwell14. Also, do not forget to follow us @HardwoodHeroics for even more great basketball content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the NBA, college basketball, and the WNBA, especially with the 2024 NBA Playoffs now here and NCAA hoops offseason in full swing, click here!
