The Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat in their home opener in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch.
Al Horford: “Friday night at the Garden, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
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The Celtics earned a 108-104 win over the New York Knicks in their regular-season opener Wednesday night at Madison Square.
Jayson Tatum stuffed the stat sheet with 34 points to lead all participants, 11 rebounds, matching Julius Randle for the most in the game, four assists, two steals, and a block.
Kristaps Porzingis generated 30 points, the most ever in a Celtics debut, making 8/15 shots, burying 5/9 threes, and converting on 9/10 free throws. He also grabbed eight rebounds and a game-high four blocks.
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Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) blocks a shot taken by New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9).
The former All-Star produced nine of the visitors’ final 15 points, including going 6/6 at the free-throw line while showcasing a glimpse of how he’ll boost Boston’s crunch-time offense.
At the podium afterward, the seven-foot-three center expressed about stepping up when his new team needed it most, “It’s important to show what my mindset is in tight games like this, and, probably, showing them that I’ll be there and do what I can on both ends. And I think today was a good step for us to build that trust.”
Now, the Celtics set their sights on their home opener Friday night against the Miami Heat.
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Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) shoots a three as Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) looks on.
As Al Horford stated on Thursday, “Friday night at the Garden, it doesn’t get any better than that.”
Regarding whether there’s any carryover from the Heat ending Boston’s season on its home floor in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the former Florida Gator told Inside The Celtics, “We’ve talked about that, but I’m excited to see what this group and what we’re gonna get to do tomorrow.”
Helping Horford and the hosts get an honest look at their team is that, like Wednesday night in New York, there’s no one on their injury report for Friday’s matchup.
As for Miami, Josh Richardson (foot) and Haywood Highsmith (knee) are out. Duncan Robinson (foot sprain), Caleb Martin (knee tendinosis), and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (groin strain) are probable.
The Celtics and Heat will tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST on Friday. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the matchup before, during, and afterward. Follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.
