Kristaps Porziņģis, the Celtics’ key backup for the playoffs, will miss his 20th game of the season due to a right hamstring strain. This injury follows a series of other injuries throughout the season, including lower back contusion, left quad contusion, right knee inflammation, left knee contusion, left calf strain, and left ankle sprain. While some of the missed games were for rest on back-to-backs, it is clear that Porziņģis picks up a lot of knocks to his lower body.
In the playoffs, Porziņģis is likely to face even more physicality and demands on his body. Therefore, the Celtics will need to rely on a deeper rotation to keep him fresh. This is where Xavier Tillman comes in. While he has had limited playing time since joining the Celtics, Tillman has shown potential to be a valuable contributor in the playoffs.
Tillman’s ability to defend against smalls and handle switches makes him a valuable asset in postseason matchups. He has been able to get into the body of opponents on switches and direct drives into help defense, leading to turnovers and fast breaks going the other way. In contrast, Kornet tends to give opponents space on switches to take away driving lanes.
On the offensive end, Tillman has started hitting corner threes, which will be a valuable skill in the playoffs. While Kornet is a better low-post scorer, his playmaking ability on the roll and his feel for releasing screens make him more involved in the offense when the defense isn’t switching.
In terms of defense and rebounding, Tillman’s style aligns more with how Boston will play in the playoffs. He uses force on the ground, initiating contact as a defender while moving his feet and using his hands to swipe at the ball. This approach tends to be more effective in the playoffs, especially against teams with bigs who can win the aerial battle.
Overall, Tillman seems to be slightly better equipped for playoff basketball. His ability to hold up at the point of attack against smalls and his defensive style make him a valuable asset in postseason matchups. While Kornet has held onto his spot in the rotation, Tillman’s skill set seems to be more suited for the East playoff ladder.
As the Celtics prepare for the playoffs, they will need to carefully consider their center depth chart based on the opposing personnel in each round. Both Kornet and Tillman present different advantages and can contribute in different ways. Ultimately, their performances in the playoffs will determine who gets the call this spring.
With Porziņģis’s injury history and the physical demands of the playoffs, it is crucial for the Celtics to have a strong backup center who can step up when needed. Whether it’s Kornet or Tillman, the Celtics will rely on their deep rotation to keep their big men fresh and ready for the challenges of postseason basketball.