Big man Kristaps Porzingis has missed each of the Boston Celtics ' last seven games due to an illness. In those games, the Celtics are 5-2. However, it is clear that they would much rather have the Latvian native healthy and available to play.

Basketball fans are praying for Boston Celtics star Kristaps Porzingis after announcing he has a "viral illness."

Come the postseason, though, the combination of five-out floor-spacing, rim protection and mismatch-mashing post play that a healthy Porziņġis provides is worth its weight in gold. Getting him healthy, back into the fold and ramped up for the postseason is a must for a Celtics team with its sights set on defending its NBA title.