Kristaps Porzingis finding comfort, open space playing with Celtics

The Celtics showcased their star-studded lineup in a preseason game against the Knicks, with Kristaps Porzingis standing out with 20 points.

The Boston Celtics showcased their potential in a preseason game against the New York Knicks, winning 123-110 at TD Garden. Head coach Joe Mazzulla used this opportunity to test his star-studded lineup, giving them extended minutes to build chemistry before the regular season begins. The Celtics did not disappoint, dominating the game on their home court.

Mazzulla's starting five consisted of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis. He wanted to see how they would perform together, and they exceeded expectations. The Celtics played at a fast pace in the first half, scoring a whopping 41 points in the first quarter alone.

With such a talented offensive lineup, it's no surprise that the Celtics always have someone open for a shot. Players like Holiday and White excel at cutting to the basket without the ball, creating scoring opportunities in the paint. The Knicks struggled to contain Porzingis, a 7-foot-3 powerhouse, as they focused their defensive attention on Tatum and Brown.

Porzingis thrived in the open space created by his teammates. Tatum, in particular, had an outstanding performance, scoring 28 points and looking like an MVP candidate. Porzingis benefited greatly from Tatum's hot shooting.

The synergy between Tatum and Porzingis was evident from the first possession of the game. Tatum passed to Holiday, who found Porzingis open in the corner for a three-pointer. This set the tone for the rest of the game. The Tatum-Porzingis pick-and-roll is expected to be a deadly weapon for the Celtics throughout the season.

Porzingis led the Celtics with 10 points in the first quarter, shooting 4-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc. His contributions helped Boston establish an 18-point lead by halftime, with Tatum adding 24 points to the scoreboard.

Although the Knicks made a run in the third quarter, cutting the Celtics' lead to 12 points, Porzingis quickly regained momentum in the fourth. He made an impressive alley-oop dunk and followed it up with another three-pointer, finishing the game with 20 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks.

Porzingis showcased his offensive versatility against the Knicks, hitting stepbacks and knocking down threes. He shot an efficient 8-of-13 overall and 4-of-8 from three-point range. His chemistry with his new teammates is already apparent, and it will only improve as they continue to play together.

This is a daunting prospect for the rest of the NBA, as Porzingis benefits from the attention drawn by his teammates. He emphasized the simplicity of his role, shooting open shots created by the Celtics' offensive prowess. Mazzulla praised Porzingis' ability to create scoring opportunities for the team, while Tatum acknowledged the ease with which Porzingis makes the game easier for everyone.

Tatum and Brown have never played alongside an offensive weapon like Porzingis, and Porzingis has never had such a talented supporting cast. With the Celtics' ability to create space for each other, their offensive potential is limitless. The sky's the limit for this team on the offensive end.