Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Kristaps Porzingis Explains Why He Relishes Getting Booed at MSG
The boo birds rained down on Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis at times during the team's 116-102 road win over the New York Knicks — who the big man played the first three seasons of his NBA career with.
But the seven-foot-three center didn't seem bothered about receiving jeers from fans who once cheered him on. In fact, he relished it.
"I enjoy it, to be honest...Now they've ramped up again a little bit," said Porzingis. "Me being on the Celtics, and having this kind of rivalry with the Knicks, as I always say, 'I prefer any kind of emotion over no emotion. Whether it's cheers or boos, I want it.'"
The big man dropped 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block while shooting 7-of-11 from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep in over 31 minutes of playing time against his former team.
Porzingis and the Celtics are now riding an eight-game winning streak, which is the longest active winning streak in the league. They will have a shot at extending that to nine games when they host the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on Tuesday night.
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Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
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Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
