2024-04-07 20:45:28
He had 27 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and four assists in one of his most productive games of the season in less than 31 minutes. “The more we see KePee like this, the less often we lose,” one of the team-mates highlighted his performance Celtics for leaders Jalen Brown. In the meantime, the Latvian basketball player did not hide that in such a strong team at this stage of the season, it is often necessary to look for additional motivation before each game in order to properly tune in to it. “This time there was the feeling that with success we can achieve something (first place in the main tournament – aut.). We went to the field and we got it done,” Porziņgis explained the convincing performance of the team. “Victory in the main tournament is an achievement. We have worked hard throughout the season and earned it.” The basketball player stated that it was not set as a goal at the beginning of the season, but by putting victory after victory, its achievement became real. The first place in the main tournament has provided the Bostonians with home court advantage in all possible rounds of the elimination tournament. The last time the Celtics achieved this was in 2008, when they also won the NBA title for the last time. “We can play even better. The performance is improving because we are picking up the pace. The elimination tournament is starting soon, for the start of which we are trying to be in the best possible readiness,” stressed Porziņgis. The team has six games left in the main tournament this season. The next one is on Saturday against Sacramento Kings.
Meanwhile, Charlotte, represented by Dāvja Bertāns, has forgotten about participating in the elimination tournament for quite some time. Hornets, where major changes will continue in the offseason. NBA observers report that longtime head coach Steve Clifford will leave the team after the season. Still under his leadership, on Wednesday, Bertans started for the first time in the season and scored 7 points in 27 minutes in an 86:89 loss against Portland Trail Blazers. In the last seconds of regular time, the native from Ruji had a chance to equalize the score, but his long shot was not accurate. True, the team representatives are probably not sad at all about such an outcome, because the 58th loss in the season has brought the team closer to a higher draw in the summer draft of young players. Hornets At the end of the season, they are tied for the third-worst win-loss record in the league, with five of their remaining six games against teams in the top six of their conference.
2024-04-07 20:45:28