When the game started, Miami came out strong, scoring the game’s first seven points. The Boston Celtics then got four straight points from Kornet to get going offensively. But where Luke made his impact on the night was on the defensive end. Tying a career-high with six blocks, Kornet made life difficult for the Heat to get any points in the paint.
“Luke has been the ultimate teammate since he’s been here. Whatever you ask him to do he’s willing to do. He does his job each and every night,” Brown said. “He knows the game well. Offensively, he’s a great connector for us. Defensively, he uses his size well. Tonight was an example of that and was able to get a career-high in blocks. When Luke’s playing well, I think we’re even a better team as well.”
Mazzulla followed that up during his postgame press conference talking about how Luke’s screening was a big factor in the game in addition to his defense.
“When he plays with the level of physicality on both ends of the floor, it makes our team different. I think his two biggest strengths are his physicality and rim protection when he’s at his best,” Mazzulla said. “His screening versus different coverages I thought he saw both of those throughout the game and he just got to continue to do that. But when he plays at a high level, we’re a different team and we can go to different things.”
It was Joe Mazzulla’s decision not to stagger one of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford with their back-to-back games, so Kornet got the start and had to deal with All-Star center Bam Adebayo.
Mazzulla acknowledged that his decision was based on matchups and trying to position his team to win certain matchups. Mazzulla was right because Luke Kornet got the better of the Bam Adebayo matchup, helping to hold Bam to just 6-of-18 shooting from the floor.
Postgame, Kornet spoke about his mindset in his third start of the season.
“I feel like I just wanted to do a good job of protecting the rim,” he said.
He did more than a great job protecting the basket and in typical Kornet fashion, he spoke about Derrick White and his ability as a shot blocker.
“I think him and I both know a thing or two about rejection in our life. Perhaps that is part of it,” Kornet said smiling.
With Porzingis slowly ramping back up to full fitness and Horford being rested on back-to-back Kornet needs to deliver when they’re short in the front court. He was reliable all last season, and this year, it’s been no different.
