Celtics-Rockets Pocket book: Kristaps Porzingis talks workforce assembly, Luke Kornet dominates, and peculiar technical fouls

HOUSTON — The Celtics, as we all know them, simply is likely to be again. They defeated the Rockets in resounding vogue on Friday coming away with a 109-86 victory to enhance to 26-9 on the 12 months.

Derrick White led the way in which with 23 factors (on 6-12 taking pictures from past the arc). Jayson Tatum put collectively one other good all-around efficiency with 20 factors, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kristaps Porzingis returned from a four-game absence to chip in 11 factors, and Payton Pritchard exploded for 20 factors on 8-10 taking pictures off the bench.

The win marked the Celtics’ third straight — and second consecutive to open up a difficult four-game street journey that subsequent options stops in Oklahoma Metropolis and Denver.

Listed here are 5 observations from Houston.

Kristaps Porzingis revealed a pre-road journey workforce assembly — and the Celtics protection bounced again

December was removed from the Celtics’ greatest month; they amassed a mediocre 8-6 report, dropping dwelling video games in opposition to the Bulls, Grizzlies, Pacers, and 76ers.

So, earlier than they launched into a four-game street journey that featured three of one of the best groups within the league — along with the 2023 NBA champions — the Celtics met to debate the place issues had been at, and the place issues might enhance.

“We had an excellent assembly earlier than this journey, simply looking-in-the-mirror kind of assembly, see the place we will enhance and do higher,” Porzingis stated. “As a result of groups are clearly coming for us, and a few of them are taking part in their greatest basketball in opposition to us.”

Porzingis stated a few of what they mentioned seemingly panned out within the second half — although he famous he wouldn’t share the precise changes the workforce made.

“So, [there’s] some small changes we wish to make, and attempt to maintain enhancing as a workforce, and maintain taking part in the identical manner,” he stated. “Minnesota was a troublesome recreation, however we got here out with a win, and tonight I felt just like the second half, stuff was clicking for us.”

In the simplest phrases, the early returns look constructive; within the second half of Friday’s win, the Celtics held the Rockets to only 30 factors on 26.3% taking pictures, punctuating considered one of their greatest defensive performances of the 12 months. In addition they outscored Houston in all 4 quarters, and held the Rockets to only 16 and 14 factors, respectively, within the third and fourth quarters.

Joe Mazzulla preferred how the Celtics adjusted to the Rockets’ early physicality.

“I assumed they [Houston] bought the higher of us to begin the sport from a bodily standpoint, after which I assumed they did a fantastic job responding on each ends of the ground,” Mazzulla stated.

“I assumed we had been bodily on the level of assault. We had nice ball stress. Our bigs gave us nice rim safety.”

Luke Kornet shines in prolonged alternative — however he doesn’t actually care

Luke Kornet was instrumental within the win, successfully guarding Alperen Sengun, grabbing 10 rebounds (six offensive), and scoring 9 factors in 23 minutes.

Mazzulla introduced up Kornet’s contributions unprompted in his post-game press convention.

“Luke [Kornet] was incredible on each ends of the ground,” he stated. “His rim safety vs. Sengun after which his offensive rebounding.”

However for Kornet, it’s simply one other day within the workplace. He’s not apprehensive about his fluctuating taking part in time and appears completely content material both manner, as long as he’s serving to the workforce win.

“Truthfully, I really feel like at this level, I really feel fairly eliminated [from worrying about minutes],” stated Kornet. “I’m right here to only do my job nicely, and assist our workforce win, and simply consider myself primarily based on that. The context of what I have to do to maintain myself ready for that may change, however I really feel like when that’s the core motivation, it actually form of takes the worrying, and the priority, and form of wasted psychological and emotional power of like, ‘alright, what’s it precisely going to appear like?’ as a substitute of simply making an attempt to do one of the best you may of what you have to do to arrange your self that day.”

Ime Udoka shouldn’t be shocked the Celtics received the championship

A go to to Houston meant a reunion with Ime Udoka who coached the Celtics in 2021-22 en path to a Finals look. They got here up quick falling to the Warriors in six video games, however gamers have routinely expressed their gratitude for Udoka’s contributions that season.

Earlier than the sport, the now-Rockets head coach was requested in regards to the Celtics successful the championship

“Glad for them for positive, and never shocked,” stated Udoka. “It was coming, regardless. Taking the steps they’d earlier than I bought there, after which the 12 months once I was there, falling quick that 12 months, I do know it fueled everybody to get again.”

Tatum additionally mirrored on the influence of the Udoka tenure: “That one 12 months was particular.”

“I’d enterprise to say I’ve been very lucky with the group that I’ve been with, with the teammates that I’ve had,” Tatum stated. “I’ve had three of one of the best coaches I might have presumably had.”

Jaylen Brown misses one other recreation with harm, however appears near return

Brown damage his shoulder within the third quarter of Tuesday’s New 12 months’s Eve win over the Toronto Raptor, and after icing his shoulder within the fourth quarter of that recreation, he’s missed the final two video games — wins in opposition to the Timberwolves and Rockets — with a proper shoulder pressure.

Brown was questionable in each matchups and appears near returning after going by means of a fairly rigorous pregame exercise with assistant coach Tony Dobbins.

The Celtics might use the assistance; they subsequent face the Thunder on Sunday afternoon, who’ve received 14 straight video games and now maintain a 29-5 report. Brown offers the Celtics one other elite scorer and defender who may also help decelerate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s having an MVP-level season.

Al Horford sat out of this one on the second evening of a back-to-back, however also needs to be again in motion Sunday. If each Brown and Horford play, the Celtics might have their total Prime 8 (starters plus Sam Hauser, Horford, and Pritchard) out there for the primary time in 17 video games.

These technical fouls are getting bizarre

On Thursday, Jayson Tatum was seemingly issued a technical foul for clapping in frustration. That foul was rescinded on Friday, and Tatum smiled when requested if he was glad the NBA reversed the decision.

“Yeah, I assume,” he stated. “I’m completely satisfied they bought it proper in some unspecified time in the future.”

On Friday evening, Kristaps Porzingis obtained a flopping technical foul for falling after Sengun made a spin transfer on him.

“Lots of fascinating stuff occurred tonight,” Porzingis stated. “However I’m glad we got here out with a fairly large margin win.”

The Celtics will face the Thunder on Sunday in a battle between two of the league’s prime groups. Kristaps Porzingis was requested about how the Celtics can put together for a participant of SGA‘s caliber and stated: “Phenomenal participant, it’s going to be a giant problem,” earlier than poking enjoyable on the robotic nature of these solutions.

“These are like tremendous typical solutions,” he stated, laughing.

He’s not mistaken — Oklahoma Metropolis is 29-5, SGA is averaging 31.2 factors per recreation on 52.5% taking pictures, and Celtics-Thunder is shaping as much as be nearly as good a daily season matchup as you’ll discover.