Kristaps Porzingis return solves most underrated Celtics problem

The Boston Celtics are getting a big boost on Monday night. According to Cameron Tabatabaie of Celtics Wire reported that Kristaps Porzingis will return to action against the LA Clippers, marking his first game of the year, as he had been recovering from offseason foot surgery to repair an injury he sustained in the NBA Finals.

At first glance, Porzingis’ offensive game could be viewed as the biggest gain for Boston. His play in the post will give them another option to go to on that end. However, his return will actually help solve the most underrated issue on the team right now.

Porzingis will help the Celtics’ paint defense.

Kristaps Porzingis' rim protection will be crucial

Boston was one of the best defensive teams in the league last year. And they still have the talent to be one of the best this season. But they haven’t been quite as sharp.

The Celtics are the 10th-ranked defense in the league this year, with a defensive rating of 111.1. For comparison, the Celtics had the second-best defense last year with a 110.6.

So far this season, Boston has been a great three-point defense. They rank fourth on opponent three-point percentage, as they are holding teams to just 34.3% from behind the arc. They also allow the fourth-fewest threes per game at 12.0.

But the place where Porzingis will help is in the paint.

For as elite as the Celtics have been at restricting opponents’ three-point shooting, they haven’t been amazing at protecting the paint. They are the eighth-worst team when it comes to defense in the restricted area, as teams are shooting 68.0% against them in that spot. On top of that, they give up the fifth-most points in the paint per game at 52.9.

Boston also allows the third-most twos per game at 30.2 per contest, though that’s largely due to them not wanting to give up threes.

For all of the talent has on the offensive end, Porzingis’ length on defense was huge for Boston last year. His ability to play help defense in the paint and pick up blocks will give the Celtics a huge boost on that end of the floor.

And considering how relatively underwhelming the Celtics have been at defending the rim this year, getting Porzingis back will be a huge help.

He’ll help patch up one of the biggest problems facing Boston this year.