BOSTON — The Celtics took one step closer to the NBA Finals by beating the Cavs on Wednesday night. However, the Game 5 victory over Cleveland which clinched a 4-1 series win could have a more tangible impact beyond just punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The status of Kristaps Porzingis looms large for the team’s chances at winning their first title since 2008. The starting center began light workouts this past week as he continues his recovery from a strained calf suffered in the first round.
A short series for the Celtics has a number of perks, particularly when you consider the team’s track record of making life tough on itself in early rounds in past seasons with this core.
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Over the past six games, Porzingis’ absence has place increased pressure on Al Horford from a minutes and usage standpoint over the past week. The team has kept Horford’s minutes under control well all season long (season average) but the teams has taken the reins off Horford this series. He rewarded them in Game 5 with a throwback (22 points, 15 rebounds in 35 minutes) that helped ensure that the 37-year-old big man will get at least a few days off before the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, which will begin on Sunday or Tuesday.
Horford’s has had a tendency to wear down in recent postseasons with a heavy workload so the team making quick work of the Cavs in five games should help him maintain his form for when the team needs him most in the next round and potentially beyond.
There is also the added benefit of delaying the necessity of a Porzingis return further. The Celtics may not need the big man to get past the Knicks or Pacers in the Conference Finals from a talent standpoint, especially against a Knicks team that is now down three starters.
The pressure is now reduced now on rushing Porzingis back on a variety of fronts. Boston’s regulars beyond just Horford will be well rested for the East Finals, increasing the odds of an easy path against the Knicks or an inexperienced Pacers squad. Porzingis will also get a couple extra days to recover if the Pacers-Knicks series is extended to seven games (or if the Nuggets-Wolves go seven games). In those instances, Boston would host Game 1 of the East Finals on Tuesday instead of Sunday.
It seems unlikely at this point that Porzingis will be ready for the start of the next round given how light his workouts were this week. However, every day matters at this time of year when it comes to rehabbing an injury in the postseason.
“It’s important to take advantages of the opportunities you have,” Joe Mazzulla said after the win. “It’s a gift that we have the rest now, because we took advantage of the opportunity that we had. Now we can be grateful for that rest. But you don’t know. Sometimes rest isn’t good for you. Sometimes it is. We’ll at least take tomorrow off.”
A closer look at recent champions showed the importance of an easy path to the NBA Finals. The Warriors and Nuggets were pushed to six games just once on their way to the Finals in the past two years and Boston is on track for a similar track now with the potential added boost of Porzingis looming. The wins may have been lacking at points against the underwhelming competition but there are no style points in the playoffs. The Celtics have put themselves in the best possible situation for the team and Porzingis to maximize their performance when they need its most in May and June.
