Kristaps Porzingis returned to the court Saturday after missing eight games with a viral illness and scored 24 points.
Kristaps Porzingis returned to the court Saturday after missing eight games with a viral illness and scored 24 points.Elsa/Getty
The Celtics got Kristaps Porzingis back just at the right time as he returned to the court Saturday after missing eight games with a viral illness and scored 14 of his team-high 24 points in the fourth quarter of Boston’s 115-113 win over Brooklyn at Barclays Center.
“I haven’t been this sick, probably ever, in my life,” Porzingis said. “I was not feeling in shape yet, but in these kinds of moments you’ve got to bite down and bring something from deep.”
The Celtics, who trail the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings, needed a big effort from Porzingis since they played without Al Horford (toe) and Derrick White (knee). Jaylen Brown also left the game with back spasms midway through the third quarter and didn’t return; he is listed as out for Tuesday’s matchup. Jayson Tatum (knee) is questionable.
Porzingis played 32 minutes and was 9 of 16 from the field.
“It shows the skill-set he has — he’s a unicorn,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard said. “An unreal player. When we have him, we’re even more dangerous.”
Brooklyn ended a three-game losing streak by beating Atlanta, 122-114, on Sunday, but the Nets are 2-10 in their last 12 games and are 13th out of 15 teams in the Eastern Conference standings.
Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 28 points and seven assists against the Hawks. Johnson is averaging 19.1 points per game and tossed in a team-high 23 points against the Celtics on Saturday.
Here’s your preview.
When: Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Boston -13.5. O/U: 217.0.
NETS
Season record: 23-45. vs. spread: 36-31, 1 push. Over/under: 30-38
Last 10 games: 2-8. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 6-4
CELTICS
Season record: 49-19. vs. spread: 31-37. Over/under: 31-36, 1 push
Last 10 games: 7-3. vs. spread: 5-5. Over/under: 5-5
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Brooklyn 105.6, Boston 116.6
Points allowed per game: Brooklyn 111.7, Boston 108.2
Field goal percentage: Brooklyn .440, Boston .462
Opponent field goal percentage: Brooklyn .479, Boston .453
3-point percentage: Brooklyn .347, Boston .369
Opponent 3-point percentage: Brooklyn .365, Boston .350
Stat of the day: The Nets come to TD Garden having lost six straight road games.
Notes: The Celtics are 3-0 against the Nets this season and have won 13 of their last 14 in the series . . . Brown )back) has been ruled out, and Jayson Tatum (knee), fifth in the NBA in scoring at 27.1 points per game is questionable. Tatum had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists on Saturday . . . The Celtics have won seven of eigh.