{"id":17970,"date":"2024-12-16T13:51:56","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T13:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=17970"},"modified":"2024-12-16T13:52:36","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T13:52:36","slug":"5-takeaways-as-payton-pritchard-makes-history-in-celtics-win-over-wizards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=17970","title":{"rendered":"5 takeaways as Payton Pritchard makes history in Celtics\u2019 win over Wizards"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 3-21 Washington Wizards entered Sunday night\u2019s game against the Celtics with the worst point differential in NBA history (-15.9). In contrast, the Celtics posted the fifth-best point differential (+11.3) in league history last season and came into the night outscoring opponents by 10.0 points per game this season.<\/p>\n

The numbers paint the picture: Washington is deep in a rebuild, while Boston is chasing another championship.<\/p>\n

Sunday night\u2019s 112-98 result highlighted that glaring disparity. The Celtics led by as many as 22 and held a double-digit lead for the final 36 minutes of the game, never giving Washington a chance.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a perfect performance from Boston\u2014they committed 18 turnovers, missed 10 free throws, and their offense stagnated in the third quarter, putting up just 45 points in the second half (their second-lowest in a half this season). But against a Wizards team missing three of their top six scorers\u2014Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, and Corey Kispert\u2014perfection wasn\u2019t necessary.<\/p>\n

\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Photo credit Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

An underrated aspect of this team over the last two seasons has been their consistency in these types of games. True to their mindset, the Celtics don\u2019t often play down to their opponents. They approach every game with a winning mentality and simply do what they need to do to get the win. Over the last two seasons, Boston is 42-4 against teams with a losing record.<\/p>\n

Here are five takeaways from the win.<\/p>\n

Kristaps Porzingis leaves the game<\/strong><\/p>\n

Porzingis exited the game late in the first half with what the team described as \u201cright heel pain.\u201d He was initially listed as questionable to return but did not reappear.<\/p>\n

After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla didn\u2019t have an update on the big man, who had scored 11 points in 11 minutes on 5-of-6 shooting (83.3%) before leaving, but mentioned that Porzingis was in good spirits in the locker room. Porzingis revealed he doesn\u2019t believe the injury is significant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s anything major,\u201d Porzingis told reporters. \u201cI think I should be fine for the next game, but we\u2019ll see. We\u2019ll take it game by game.\u201d<\/p>\n

Porzingis explained that his exit was \u201cprecautionary,\u201d noting he had continued playing after \u201cbanging up his heel a little bit\u201d in the first quarter. When the heel felt sensitive in the second, he alerted the medical staff and was removed from the game.<\/p>\n

\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Photo credit Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Despite the injury, Porzingis didn\u2019t appear too alarmed. He walked off the floor pumping his fist, smiling, and waving to fans as he exited the game.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that the offseason surgery that sidelined Porzingis for the first 17 games was on his left leg, making this injury unrelated.<\/p>\n

Porzingis will have ample time to rest, as the Celtics are off for four days before hosting the Chicago Bulls at TD Garden on Thursday.<\/p>\n

A well-rested Jayson Tatum returns<\/strong><\/p>\n

After missing Thursday night\u2019s win over the Pistons due to right patella tendinopathy, Jayson Tatum had eight days to rest before returning to action. In his first game back, he delivered a game-high 28 points, grabbed a team-leading 12 rebounds, and dished out two assists.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m feeling good,\u201d Tatum said after the game when asked how he feels physically. \u201cA couple of days helped, for sure. It\u2019s just something that kind of comes and goes. It\u2019s something that I\u2019ve dealt with before. I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although it wasn\u2019t his most efficient night, finishing 12-of-26 (46.2%) from the field and 2-of-9 (22.2%) from deep with four turnovers, the Wizards had no answer for Tatum, who led the charge in attacking rookie Alex Sarr. Tatum was particularly dominant around the rim, where he shot 10-of-15 (66.6%) in the paint, including 9-of-13 (69.2%) in the restricted area.<\/p>\n

\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Photo credit Greg Fiume\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sam Hauser also made his return after missing Thursday\u2019s game due to an adductor strain. He finished with 12 points on 4-of-9 (44.4%) shooting from deep, seven rebounds, an assist, and two steals, finishing a team-best +27 in 28 minutes. Hauser, who had a slow start shooting, is shooting 43.8% from beyond the arc over his last 10 games.<\/p>\n

However, his impact extends beyond shooting, earning praise from coach Joe Mazzulla postgame for his overall contributions.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime he is in the game, you know what you are getting,\u201d said Mazzulla. \u201cYou are getting solid individual defense\u2014you\u2019re getting execution. And you are getting a three-point threat, but he can do other things as well with his passing and putting two on the ball. It\u2019s a credit to him for just the consistency that he shows when he\u2019s out there. You know exactly what you are getting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Payton Pritchard keeps on rolling<\/strong><\/p>\n

At this rate, Payton Pritchard might be on track for a unanimous Sixth Man of the Year win. After recording his second double-double of the month with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, DraftKings Sportsbook has made Pritchard a -500 favorite to claim the award.<\/p>\n

Pritchard delivered some of the biggest shots of the night when the Celtics\u2019 offense hit a lull, doing so with his usual barrage of three-pointers. For the 13th time this season\u2014and the fifth time this month (seven games)\u2014Pritchard knocked down five threes. He leads the league in games with at least five made threes, doubling the next closest reserve, Malik Beasley (6). Additionally, he has 21 games this season with at least two three-pointers, with only Anthony Edwards, James Harden, and Donovan Mitchell (22 each) ahead of him.<\/p>\n

\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Photo credit Greg Fiume\/Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Pritchard (101) and Edwards (108) are the only players to make 100 threes this season. It took the Oregon native just 26 games to reach that century mark, the fastest any Celtic has ever done so to start the season and the fastest by any reserve in NBA history.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s just a tremendous spark off the bench,\u201d Tatum said on Pritchard. \u201cKnowing that we\u2019ve got somebody that we\u2019ve got somebody that can come off the bench that we can rely on night in and night out is big for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the three-pointers were crucial, his rebounding might have been even more impactful. His 11 rebounds (four offensive) were the second-most in his career, just shy of his career-high of 14. Pritchard currently leads all reserve guards in rebounds this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just the offense. It\u2019s his rebounding, and he takes the pressure off of Jrue and Jaylen, who are the primary guys matched up with some of the best players night in and night out,\u201d Mazzulla said. \u201cWhen you can do that, and have another guy who can take [a player] out of his rhythm \u2013 he\u2019s just becoming a complete player.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s exactly how Pritchard wants to be known. He strives to be a well-rounded contributor, and this season, he\u2019s shown he\u2019s much more than just a shooter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really wanna be known as a two-way player,\u201d said Pritchard. \u201cSometimes, I see things that say I\u2019m a defensive liability, and that irks me. Every game I go out there and try and prove that narrative wrong. Being a complete two-way player is something I\u2019m always going to try and strive to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stepping up<\/strong><\/p>\n

Luke Kornet has a tough role on this team. With Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis ahead of him, there are nights when he doesn\u2019t see the floor. Some games, he\u2019ll start; others, he\u2019ll play only in brief spurts. It\u2019s challenging to maintain a consistent level of performance when your minutes are unpredictable, and Joe Mazzulla is fully aware of that.<\/p>\n

\u201cLuke is in a tough spot sometimes, especially with KP and Al. He starts sometimes, sometimes he\u2019s not in, sometimes he\u2019s in,\u201d Mazzulla said. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to maintain a rhythm of the way that you need to play night in and night out, and he does a tremendous job trying to do that. I think moments where you can affirm him and let him know how important he is to the team regardless of how much he is playing allows him to play with that freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Photo credit Geoff Burke-Imagn Images<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Kornet excels in his role. More often than not, good things happen when he\u2019s on the floor, and Sunday evening was another example of that. The 29-year-old finished with seven points, 11 rebounds (5 offensive), four assists, and a block.<\/p>\n

He simply does his job, which is exactly what is asked of a third center. Kornet has proven reliable, consistently stepping up and providing solid minutes when needed.<\/p>\n

Another team held under 100<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Celtics\u2019 added games against Detroit (10-16) and Washington (3-21) after missing the Knockout Stage of the NBA Cup weren\u2019t exactly a brutal test. The Pistons are currently outside the play-in tournament, while the Wizards\u2014well, the Celtics have more wins at Washington\u2019s Capital One Arena (3) than the Wizards have all season (2).<\/p>\n

Washington has the worst offense in the league, and the Pistons aren\u2019t far behind, ranking in the bottom eight. While the talent disparity played a role, the Celtics still managed to hold both teams to under 100 points, which is always notable in today\u2019s NBA. The two teams combined to shoot 82-of-197 (41.6%) from the field and just 20-of-77 (26%) from beyond the arc, with 24 turnovers.<\/p>\n

Boston has now held opponents under 100 points six times this season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The numbers tell the story: Washington is deep in a rebuild, while Boston is firmly in championship contention. Sunday night\u2019s 112-98 result highlighted that glaring disparity as the Payton Pritchard-led Celtics continued to make history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":17974,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17970","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n5 takeaways as Payton Pritchard makes history in Celtics\u2019 win over Wizards - News 365<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=17970\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 takeaways as Payton Pritchard makes history in Celtics\u2019 win over Wizards - News 365\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The numbers tell the story: Washington is deep in a rebuild, while Boston is firmly in championship contention. 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