Prior to the match against the Spurs, Joe Mazzulla disclosed yet another horrific injury to one of his most committed players, adding that this will result in a significant setback for his team.
Prior to their matchup with the Orlando Magic on December 15, the Boston Celtics big man depth has suffered a severe blow. Al Horford and Luke Kornet are out of the game, and Kristaps Porzingis is listed as doubtful, per the most recent injury report.
Neemias Queta would be the sole center on the Celtics roster as a result. Had Nathan Knight not been waived by the Celtics earlier this week, he might have had an opportunity to play a few minutes off the bench.
The fact that Boston might be lacking players in more areas of the court than just the center position exacerbates the situation. With a hyperextended knee and an ankle injury that nearly prevented him from playing against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, Jaylen Brown is listed as questionable.
The Celtics have had difficulty lately when playing the Magic. Since the end of the previous season, the Eastern Conference rebuilding team has triumphed in its last four games against Joe Mazzulla’s team. Orlando’s roster is full of players with a lot of size, length, and skill, so having a solid rim protector on the court is important.
The Magic will probably try to pressure the rim whenever they get the chance, especially without Horford and (possibly) Porzingis in the lineup. Both Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero are gifted forwards that can use their size to create mismatches and scoring opportunities at all three levels.
Most people only know Rex Chapman from his TV appearances, podcasts, and Twitter account. He is now a well-known figure. They may also be aware that Chapman has had to travel a long healing road to get to this stage in his life and career. Furthermore, not much is known about Chapman’s basketball career other than the fact that he used to play. This Prism episode addresses Chapman’s basketball career, which is fascinating to look at and spans from his time in Kentucky to several intriguing professional stints. It is quite complex. Let’s take a closer look at the quite impressive and fascinating basketball career of someone who has gained more notoriety elsewhere.
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If Queta is forced into the starting lineup, Boston has to be cautious because he has a propensity to foul and bite on pump fakes. In order to provide some resistance around the rim with his size and defensive versatility, Jayson Tatum might occasionally move into the middle of the court. Alternately, Mazzulla could adopt some small-ball rotations, a forceful switching scheme, and an assertive, confrontational style of defense to frighten and outgun a young Magic team.
The Celtics could lose the game, whatever the coaching staff decides, if they end up without their entire big-man rotation against a team that is getting better quickly.
