Cleveland — For clubs all throughout the league, bench performance on the road during the playoffs is often a weak point. Because it’s difficult to produce consistently in hostile situations, beginners have a greater burden.
Most nights, Boston’s starting five has the firepower to shoulder that responsibility, but not in Game 4 against the Cavaliers.
Al Horford and Derrick White were having trouble making 3-pointers (1-of-8), so the Celtics needed to up their offensive game. Payton Pritchard was prepared to take the call, just as he had been in every series.
The backup guard led the Celtics to a 109-102 victory in his 25 minutes of play, scoring 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting, including three 3-pointers. Pritchard hit a clutch three in a critical area for the second consecutive game, this time in Dean Wade’s face during Boston’s last possession of the third quarter.
Boston had a double-digit lead going into the fourth quarter thanks to the basket, and the visitors had enough cushion to fend off a late Cavalry rally and win.
Despite being an essential member of Boston’s bench the whole season, Pritchard is pressing for a larger role in the aftermath of Kristaps Porzingis’ injury. Looking at his stats, it’s clear to understand why he’s become Joe Mazzulla’s sixth man against the Cavs, averaging 27 minutes per game through four games. Against the Cavs, he is making 51.6% of his shots, including 45% from 3-point range.
Pritchard has also been a reliable ball handler in the backcourt, committing only five mistakes in his last four games while making wise choices to attack or create space for his teammates.
With nine postseason games played, he has a +18 net rating, which is greater than any Boston starter, and Joe Mazzulla is starting to put more faith in him because of his ability to remain composed in any situation.
“I believed that Payton’s self-assurance and development into an excellent two-way player had a positive impact on the game from an offensive and defensive standpoint,” Mazzulla stated. “Regardless of the tasks involved—handling, screening, shooting, pursuing shooters, or switching.”
Luke Kornet had one of his greatest playoff performances in Game 4, scoring nine points and pulling down six boards in only 20 minutes. Pritchard wasn’t the only bench player to contribute significantly. The outstanding play lightened Al Horford’s load a little bit in the wake of Kristaps Porzingis’ absence.
Despite Porzingis’s absence, Boston’s bench has contributed to the Celtics coming within one victory of securing a position in the Eastern Conference Finals in a non-dramatic manner. As the Celtics go to the NBA Finals and the competition gets harder, Pritchard’s development in that capacity should only benefit them.
