On Thursday night, Payton Pritchard had yet another significant game. Additionally, he joined a club that had very few members.
The Celtics defeated the Boston Celtics 123-99 on Thursday night, and the backup guard for the Boston Celtics scored a team-high 27 points off the bench. In all, Pritchard made 10 of 20 shots, including 7 of 15 three-pointers.
The former Oregon Ducks and West Linn High School standout became the 10th player in Celtics history to achieve the 500-point mark during the game, joining team greats like Paul Pierce and Larry Bird.
Payton Pritchard joins Boston’s 500 3 PM club as its tenth member.f5JJ3ovMF9 https://t.co/AUKjxorP2tpic.twitter.com
During games this season, Pritchard’s scoring has ceased being exceptional and has begun to become typical. In addition, he recorded 10 assists in the game, marking the fifth occasion in his career that he has recorded at least 10 assists in a game. Pritchard also created team history by becoming the first player to come off the bench and finish a game with at least 25 points, 10 assists, and five three-pointers.
According to Pritchard, the secret to his success is to make the game simple.
After the game, Pritchard told reporters, “I just feel like everybody is playing my 3-ball so heavy, and obviously I shoot it from a deep range, so if they come and close out on me, it allows me to get in the paint, and then obviously I just manipulate the bigs.” I dump it off if they play me. I complete it if they don’t. My goal is to make the game as easy as possible. I must leave the ball if there are two on it. I attempt to finish if it’s just one coverage.
Pritchard was known for his 3-point shooting going into the season, and he has only improved his skills this time around. Of the 18 players who have averaged at least eight 3-point attempts per game this season, he has made the most 3-pointers (43.2%), ranking sixth in the NBA in terms of 3-pointers made per game (3.8).
Pritchard’s defense has improved, but so have his playmaking and assists. He is on track to record a career-high amount of rebounds and steals. He is the front-runner to earn the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award because of his output on both ends of the floor.
I don’t really give it much thought. I suppose it will be a credit to my hard work if I am lucky enough to win. After the game, Pritchard told reporters, “I think it just means that I help this team coming off the bench and doing my job at a high level.” I’m not like that, so it’s not a make-or-break situation for me if I win or lose. I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. It would be an honor, though.
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