Vacation and Porzingis wrestle in opposition to Pistons in Celtics’ loss

“I used to be horrible tonight,” Kristaps Porzingis instructed reporters after the Celtics’ 20-point loss to the Pistons. He wasn’t improper — 11 factors, 2 rebounds and 1 help on 4/11 from the sphere is a tough night time for a participant of Porzingis’ caliber.

He had no rhythm to his sport all night time. He was lacking pictures across the rim, not getting in place to get rebounds and wasn’t his common forceful self on the defensive finish.

No play higher outlined this sport for Porzingis that his final shot of the sport.

Brutal.

He did have 3 steals and was 2/3 from past the arc, so it was not all unhealthy, however that doesn’t change the truth that this was a nasty sport for Porzingis.

He was a late scratch from Tuesday night time’s win in opposition to the Raptors attributable to an sickness so he was probably nonetheless feeling the impacts from that which is why I’m keen to present him a cross on Wednesday’s tough efficiency.

It was additionally a tough night time for Jrue Vacation who completed with 4 factors, 2 rebounds and three turnovers on 2/10 from the sphere and 0/5 from three. Vacation was simply lacking a number of the open appears to be like he usually makes.

It is a wide-open look that Vacation simply misses. Nice drive and kick from Derrick White, who had an superior sport, to present it to Jrue within the nook however he missed the look.

It was an off night time for Jrue after he got here off one in all his finest video games of the season in Boston’s win in opposition to the Knicks on Sunday.

After the sport, folks on X had been speaking about how Jrue is washed and his contract will change into a problem for the Celtics.

Are we actually this involved over a February loss to the most well liked staff within the NBA?

Vacation has proven us he has a change on the defensive finish that he can flip when the playoffs come round. Certain, the shot has not been nearly as good because it was a season in the past, however Vacation was by no means going to shoot 60% on nook threes two seasons in a row.

Will the $37 million be value it when Vacation is 37 years outdated? Who is aware of? Al Horford continues to be taking part in excessive stage hoops at 38 years outdated. Horford’s protection was not all the time there final season, however he was capable of flip the change when the playoffs got here round and when KP went down within the Miami collection, Al was able to step up.

Under no circumstances am I panicked that Vacation hasn’t been taking part in effectively. I’m not going to name for him to be traded this summer season and I’m not going to name him washed.

On the second leg of a back-to-back by which Vacation rested on the entrance finish, the Celtics wanted him to ship a very good efficiency in opposition to the most well liked staff within the league.

As an alternative, Jrue laid an egg and it performed a giant purpose to why the Celtics misplaced.