The importance of Kristaps Porzingis’ return vs. the New York Knicks

Porzingis will be tested against his former team, and controlling the defensive glass is key.

Star Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is set to return from a calf sprain that has had him sidelined for several games, and he will likely do it against the ball club that drafted him in 2015, the New York Knicks. The Celtics will host New York at TD Garden on Friday night as both teams play their in-season tournament (IST) quarterfinals consolation game.

Porzingis’ return from injury will help shore up their interior defense exposed in their IST loss to the Indiana Pacers, and his versatility on both ends greatly impacts the Celtics’ style of play. His pick-and-roll partnership with All-NBA forward Jaylen Brown will be key to beating the Knicks on Friday. Against a physical New York club, the Celtics must fight hard for spacing and be more physical themselves. Porzingis will be tested against his former team, and controlling the defensive glass is key.

The hosts of the “How Bout Them Celtics” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts linked up to break down the Knicks – Celtics tilt.

Check it out in the clip embedded above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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