It has been a while since I have fired off some hot takes at halftime and in a big game against the Nuggets, I figured it was time.
So here are my hot takes in a game that is tied at 57 at the half.
Porzingis getting hit in the privates was a relief for all of Celtics Nation
When I first saw Porzingis go down in pain after a great tip in I, along with much of Celtics nation, assumed the worst.
However, then we all the saw the replay and had the same reaction.
Poor bastard got nailed in the family jewels
— Trey (@TA1297) January 8, 2025
that hurts for kp but I am relieved, can’t even lie.
— jack (@janderson22_) January 8, 2025
LOL jk I just rewatched the play. I now understand why no one on press row reacted. KP is back in the game
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzell) January 8, 2025
That was a scary moment but it was a huge relief to see he was okay because…
Kristaps Porzingis absolutely dominated that half of basketball
When Kristaps Porzingis is playing ball like that, the Celtics are tough to beat.
He finished the half with 16 points on 6/11 from the field.
He was all over the place in that half, scoring 9 of the first 12 Celtics points and 15 in the first quarter overall.
Kristaps Porzingis’ 15-point first quarter tonight was his highest-scoring quarter of the season and tied for his highest in a Celtics uniform.
— Celtics Stats (@celtics_stats) January 8, 2025
Porzingis was assertive, getting to the basket, shooting the 3, posting up and defending the rim.
He also made an awesome play when he got hit in the area you never want to get hit in, grabbing the offensive rebound.
This is the Kristaps Porzingis the Celtics are going to need if they are going to repeat as champions. He was confident and assertive, making a big impact on the game.
Though he cooled off in the second, I think he will bounce back in the 2nd half.
This is not a Neemias Queta game, but is any game a Neemias Queta game?
Queta is the wrong choice right now
— John Karalis (@John_Karalis) January 8, 2025
Neemias Queta was a minus 11 in his first half minutes, he was a net negative on the court in the first half.
I don’t understand why Mazzulla won’t go to Xaiver Tillman anymore but he doesn’t.
He doesn’t move his feet well in space, he is constantly out of position on defense and the rim protection isn’t as good as everyone wants you to believe. I am just over it. He is a net negative on that end of the floor while Kornet and Tillman have been good on that end.
The Celtics need a better half from Jaylen in the 2nd half of this game
Jaylen Brown went scoreless in the first half until 54 seconds left when he made a free throw, while only taking 4 shots.
That cannot happen, he needs to be more assertive in the 2nd half if the Celtics are going to win this game.
After a rough close in the Thunder game, Brown had a tough start to this one.
