Expect Celtics to ‘proceed cautiously’ with Porzingis’ return originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If you believe the Boston Celtics should beat the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals and advance to their second NBA Finals in three years, there’s one storyline you’re probably keeping a close eye on: When will Kristaps Porzingis return?
The six-foot big man has been out since April 29, when he suffered a right calf strain in Game 4 of Boston’s first-round win over the Miami Heat. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Porzingis is expected to miss Games 1 and 2 of the East Finals, although there is “optimism” he can return “at some point in the series” barring any setbacks.
So, how should the Celtics play with their rehabbing big man? If the Celtics win Games 1 and 2 at TD Garden, should they sideline Porzingis even though he could technically start? If the series is close, should they bring him back even if he isn’t 100 percent yet?
Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg believes there’s value in Porzingis playing at some point in the series, even if the C’s are big — at the very least to get him some game action ahead of what could be a grueling NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves, which features two elite big men.
“So there’s a balance there, right?” Forsberg said this Monday on Boston’s NBC Sports Arbella early edition, as seen in the video player above. “If you tell me he’s healthy enough to go, I probably want to see him at the end of the series, if only to shake off the rust and get ready for (the NBA Finals), possibly if you I’m lucky to be able to continue.
“Because you can’t just expect to be there against (Wolves big men Rudy) Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns and all that – I’m being very presumptuous with what I think the final is there, but I’d put him in that case would like to see some rust shaking.’
However, Forsberg believes the Celtics won’t bring Porzingis back until he’s fully ready, especially considering Boston’s current opponent: the Pacers are a high-octane team that likes to push the pace and boast the No. 1 scoring offense in the postseason at 114.2. points per match.
“Against this team that wants to go up and down, I don’t think a guy with less than 100 percent calves should be trying to run up and down with the Pacers,” Forsberg added. “So I do think they will act cautiously and if your talent wins, you don’t even have to cross that bridge.”
The ideal scenario for the Celtics would be to take a commanding lead in the series and return Porzingis to action to prepare him for the NBA Finals. However, the Pacers played the C’s this season and won two of the teams’ five games, and will do everything they can to extend the streak.
Game 1 at TD Garden is scheduled for Tuesday night at 8:00 PM ET, with NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics Pregame Live starts at 7pm ET.
