The Boston Celtics were too strong for the LA Lakers on March 8, on a night both teams were missing stars.
LeBron James exited the Lakers loss at the Boston Celtics with an injury. This was a blow for a team already missing Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes, two players usually in their starting rotation.
The Celtics were not at full strength either, however. The team’s X-factor is Kristaps Porzingis, who sat out the game.
And this is a scary prospect for other teams in the NBA.
Los Angeles Lakers legend James Worthy spoke following Boston’s 111-101 win, and noted that the Celtics did not have Kristaps Porzingis.
Worthy pointed out the excellent performance from veteran Al Horford, still a top contributor at 39. He noted that while Horford is playing like this, Porzingis can afford to sit out, and make the difference in the playoffs.
He told the Lakers’ post-game show on Spectrum: “They are saving Porzingis. They’re resting him properly. There’s no need. They can win without him, with Al Horford playing the way he is.
“So I think they’re kind of playing really smart, to get to the playoffs. They are really tough and strong.
“Porzingis is a nightmare in the playoffs. He creates such a mismatch. If you think Horford created a mismatch, Porzingis is….”
Kristiaps Porzingis was a difference maker in the NBA Finals, making his former team the Dallas Mavericks pay.
Porzingis has played and started 32 games for the Celtics this season, but has not featured since late February.
Al Horford went 14-9-4, ending the night as the Celtics third highest scorer behind Jayson Tatum (40) and Jaylen Brown (31).
The win moved the Celtics up to 46-18. They face the Jazz next, before an exciting looking match-up against the Thunder.
