Loser 1: Kristaps Porzingis
The good news heading into the playoffs was that Kristaps Porzingis is healthy. However, his performance in the first round wasn’t what we were used to seeing.
Porzingis through five games, Porzingis averaged 12 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals, shooting 35.2% from the field and 11.8% from three. He did, however, come up big in the Game Two victory, dropping 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Besides that, Porzingis couldn’t get anything going on offense, shooting 0-10 from three before hitting his only two in the fourth game. Not only was he ineffective scoring, but he also committed some costly fouls in games Three and Four, resulting in 34 minutes in Game 3 and 22 in Game Four.
With the Celtics' next series starting on Monday, Porzingis will have time to rest and get his shot right before Game One.
Loser 2: Payton Pritchard
Payton Pritchard’s play in the first two games was solid. He combined for 33 points in the first two games and played solid defense, showing that he was worthy of the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Since being named the winner of the award last Thursday, Pritchard scored a combined 13 points in the last three games.
While his defense has been solid, Pritchard didn’t produce much on offense. All of his major statistical numbers were down compared to the regular season, as he averaged 9.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in five games versus the Magic.
With Holiday missing the last three games, I expected Pritchard to slide in and bring similar offensive production, but it was just not his series. This output isn’t viable as we go deeper in the playoffs, as Pritchard will be relied on in games where the offense can’t get going.