This is called re-offending. Payton Pritchard didn't give everything with his shot at the buzzer in Game 2, he didn't give everything during the minutes of the long “garbage time” in Game 4 either.
Because just before halftime of this last match of the Finals, the replacement leader sent a warhead from his own camp to increase his team's advantage to 21 points.
“Payton (Pritchard) is one of the best competitors and one of my favorite people in the world,” says Joe Mazzulla. “Simply by his professionalism and the pride he has for this type of thing. He has really grown this season, he can play on both ends of the pitch, he has made us win games. »
Although he was limited to a replacement role and his minutes decreased in the playoffs, Payton Pritchard still took advantage of the opportunities he was given to make a difference.
“You know, when the playoffs start, patterns change, things change,” continues the Celtics coach. “But these guys have to win you moments in games and Payton did that twice. This is as important as any other action in the series or playoffs. »
Cold blood
Certainly, the gap was already widened for the Celtics when Payton Pritchard drew, but the shot put a blow on the head of the Mavericks. Above all, it is not easy to come in and take this shot without rhythm for what is his only action of the match.
” It was wonderful. He did that, and you take a look at the other team, and you see it's a morale-breaking shot, and then it kind of fueled us,” Judge Al Horford. “But Payton…that sums it up. There were ups and downs for him, not knowing what to expect, when he was going to play, or not. He's the type of guy who likes big moments, and it's hard because we have a lot of them. »
The substitute's 3-pointer at the buzzer also set fire to TD Garden and his entire team, who ran towards the man who is becoming a specialist in the field, like Jayson Tatum and their “chest bump.”
“We had a great game plan in the Finals, and then all the guys contributed,” believes Jaylen Brown “Like Payton Pritchard, it’s unreal, isn’t it? Unreal… He just comes in and sends a shot to midcourt. This guy is quite a legend. Thanks to Payton Pritchard. »