BOSTON – Let the Kristaps Porzingis hype continue.
Two days after Carmelo Anthony said the expectations for Porzingis are too high, the 7-foot-3 Latvian dominated, scoring 16 of his 20 points in the first half as the Knicks battered the depleted Celtics 121-96 in a preseason game at TD Garden on Wednesday.
Porzingis was a force on defense, notching three blocks, including an athletic rejection when he chased down a sprinting Jaylen Brown, a rookie lottery pick, at the rim. He also scored in the post, on jumpers and, on the first possession of the third quarter, stole the ball and went downcourt in transition for a layup. Porzingis scored almost a point a minute, 20 in 23 minutes. He shot 7 of 13 from the field.
The Celtics rested their two best players – point guard Isaiah Thomas and new center Al Horford, while the Knicks sat Anthony. Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said he’s hoping to play the starters – save Derrick Rose – at least 30 minutes in Thursday’s preseason finale in Brooklyn.
Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee got hot in the second half and scored 11 points, making 5 of 7 shots as the Knicks moved to 3-2 in the preseason. Lee was averaging just five points in the preseason.
Knicks rookie small forward Mindaugus Kuzminskas started the second half and finished with eight points. Combo guard Ron Baker, fighting to make the team, shot very well – 5 of 6 – racking up 12 points.
Center Joakim Noah, playing his second game, had two points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes.