CLEVELAND — Bench play on the road in the playoffs is generally a weak spot for teams around the league. It’s tough to get consistent production in hostile environments, which leads to a heavier onus falling on starters.
Boston’s starting five has enough firepower to take on that burden most nights but that wasn’t the case in Game 4 against the Cavs. Al Horford and Derrick White were struggling with their shots (1-of-8 from 3-point range) and that left the Celtics in need of some more offensive punch. Just like he has all series, Payton Pritchard was ready to answer the call.
The reserve guard scored 11 points in his 25 minutes on 3-of-5 shooting, which included three makes from 3-point range in a 109-102 Celtics win. For the second straight game, Pritchard delivered a clutch 3 in a crucial spot, this time around in Dean Wade’s face on Boston’s final possession of the third quarter.
Fanatics Sportsbook
10X$100 BONUS BET
BET MATCH BONUS
Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, KY ,MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)
The basket gave Boston a double-digit lead entering the final period, allowing the visitors enough breathing room to withstand a late Cavs charge and hold on for the win.
Pritchard has been a vital part of Boston’s bench all year long but he’s pushing himself into a bigger role in the wake of Kristaps Porzingis injury. Against the Cavs, he’s turned into Joe Mazzulla’s sixth man, averaging 27 minutes per game through four contests and it’s easy to see why when you look at his numbers. He’s hitting 51.6 percent of his shots including 45 percent from 3-point range against the Cavs.
With just five turnovers in four games, Pritchard has also been a steady ball handling presence in the backcourt, making sound decisions to attack himself or set up his teammates. He’s got a +18 net rating through nine postseason games so far which is higher than any Boston starter and his ability to stay poised in any environment is earning him more trust from Joe Mazzulla.
” I thought Payton’s confidence, and becoming a really good two-way player, just affecting the game both offensively and defensively,” Mazzulla said. “Whether it’s handling, whether it’s screening, whether it’s shooting, whether it’s chasing shooters, whether it’s switching.”
Pritchard wasn’t the only reserve chipping in a big way during Game 4 as Luke Kornet delivered one of his best postseason contests with nine points and six rebounds in 20 minutes. The stellar production helped take some burden off Al Horford amid a heavier load he’s carrying in Kristaps Porzingis’ absence.
“They are playing right around the same minutes they had been playing, nothing’s really changed,” Mazzulla said of the bench. “The sub patterns are different, but we’ve trusted those guys all year, and they are continuing to deliver but in different ways. Sam’s been just really solid, I thought Luke’s physicality tonight was tremendous.”
Boston’s bench has helped push the Celtics one win away from clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals in undramatic fashion despite the absence of Porzingis. Pritchard’s growth within that role should only help the Celtics as the competition grows tougher in a run toward the NBA Finals.
