On Wednesday (June 12), the Boston Celtics claimed their third consecutive victory against the Dallas Mavericks, extending their unbeaten road record. Despite missing Kristaps Porzingis due to injury, Joe Mazzulla’s team was able to secure the win. With the veteran big man out, Mazzulla turned to Xavier Tillman to help fill the gap left by Porzingis.
Since joining the Celtics in February, Tillman has struggled to find consistent playing time, but his strength and versatility made him a suitable candidate to step in for Porzingis. In his postgame news conference, Mazzulla revealed that Tillman’s experience facing the Mavericks in his time with the Memphis Grizzlies played a significant role in his selection for the game. The Celtics employed a defensive strategy similar to that of the Grizzlies, giving Tillman the advantage of familiarity with the opponent’s style of play.
If Porzingis remains sidelined, Tillman may have another opportunity to showcase his skills during Game 4 of the NBA Finals between Boston and Dallas on Friday (June 14). For more Celtics content, listeners can subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on various platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Substack. Stay updated with the latest news and analysis on the team.
