Kristaps Porzingis’ injury will make Game 3 a bit tougher for the Celtics.
After opening as a 1.5-point underdog, Boston dropped to +2.5 after news their star big man suffered a “rare injury” that has left his status for Wednesday’s game up in the air.
The Celtics are now +120 on the moneyline despite jumping out to a convincing 2-0 series lead on their home floor.
Porzingis, who missed 10 straight games earlier this postseason with a calf injury, has been an important part of Boston’s success during the first two games of the NBA Finals.
In Game 1, Porzingis, after a 38-day absence, scored 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting from the field with three blocks in his return to the court.
Late in Game 2, Porzingis, who had 12 points, four rebounds and two blocks, left after he landed awkwardly while going up for a rebound.
The team announced Tuesday that Porzingis “suffered a torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of posterior tibialis tendon” in his left leg, though it was unrelated to his previous calf injury on his right leg.
“After consultation with numerous specialists regarding this rare injury, his availability for upcoming games will be determined day-to-day,” the Celtics said.
There is still a shot Porzingis takes the court, with the Latvia native saying he was “optimistic” about playing on Wednesday night.
“Obviously I’m gonna do everything I can to be out there tomorrow,” Porzingis said Tuesday.
Even with a questionable Porzingis, the Mavericks are massive underdogs to make a comeback down 0-2.
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The Celtics are a whopping -820 to win the series at FanDuel Sportsbook versus the Mavericks at +570.
Teams that are up 2-0 in the NBA Playoffs have an all-time series record of 424-34 (92.6 percent).
In the NBA Finals, specifically, teams up 2-0 are 31-5 (86.1 percent).