Celtics practice notebook: Jayson Tatum’s playmaking, the luxury of Al Horford, and Playoff Payton Pritchard

AUERBACH CENTER — At Friday’s Celtics’ apply, Joe Mazzulla, Al Horford, and Payton Pritchard every detailed their takeaways from the primary spherical defeat of Miami, and expressed their pleasure for the upcoming collection with the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers set for Recreation 6 tonight.

Plus, as all the time, Derrick White received some laughs capturing trick photographs with a slew of assistant coaches as issues wrapped up.

Listed below are three takeaways from at the moment’s apply:

Joe Mazzulla preferred how Jayson Tatum performed within the first spherical of the playoffs

In 5 video games towards Miami, Jayson Tatum averaged 21.8 factors on 41.6% capturing, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists. These aren’t eye-popping numbers – notably from an effectivity standpoint – however Joe Mazzulla confused at apply that he preferred Tatum’s method.

“I assumed his protection was great. I assumed his pick-and-roll [defense] on the ball handler was actually good,” Mazzulla stated. “I assumed his defensive rebounding was good, and I assumed the self-discipline to combat taking tough photographs versus making the additional move – he confirmed that.”

Miami typically crowded Tatum, sending two or three defenders at him. That protection allowed for teammates like Derrick White to get clear seems to be, and he capitalized on that, averaging 22.4 factors on 57.7% capturing.

Tatum was snug deferring to others, and in flip, the Celtics blew out the Warmth in 4 out of 5 video games of the primary spherical of the playoffs. Within the crucial Recreation 4, White tried 12 photographs greater than Tatum en path to a playoff career-high 38 factors.

“He’s actually grown this 12 months, and it’s simply going to look totally different each night time,” Mazzulla stated. “It’s going to look totally different each collection. And he was in a position to actually regulate this collection and discover different methods to influence the sport, which I believe is tremendous essential.”

Not a lot modifications for Al Horford with Kristaps Porzingis injured

With Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely with a soleus pressure, Al Horford stepped into the beginning line-up for Recreation 5 and can proceed to take action on this subsequent spherical of the playoffs. Technically, that’s a change, since he’s performed the position of Sixth Man for a lot of the season.

However, Horford stated at apply that not a lot modifications for him. In spite of everything, the 17-year veteran has began 1036 of his 1078 NBA video games performed. This season, with Kristaps Porzingis lacking 25 video games and numerous different starters lacking time, Horford stepped into the beginning line-up for 33 video games – greater than half of the 65 video games he was lively for.

“My method kinda stays the identical,” Horford stated. “I need to make it possible for defensively I’m strong, I’m giving assist to the group. That I’m doing the issues that I must do on that finish. My job hasn’t modified. After which on offense, persevering with to remain prepared and no matter I must do. And for me it’s all about persevering with to influence profitable. It doesn’t change.”

The larger change is that his back-ups will play prolonged minutes, he famous.

“I’m anticipating a few of our guys, whether or not it’s Luke, whether or not it’s Neemy, whether or not it’s Xavier, to step up and be capable to play minutes for us when their numbers are known as,” Horford stated. “I’m excited for these guys and for that chance.”

Payton Pritchard is relishing the chance to play significant playoff minutes

Payton Pritchard fell out of the rotation final 12 months, however has been a crucial a part of the workforce all 12 months after signing a four-year extension earlier than the season started. He averaged a career-high 9.7 on 46.8% capturing for the Celtics this season, and had a profession 12 months in most classes.

At apply, Pritchard famous how a lot he’s having fun with the chance to get minutes throughout this playoff run and assist contribute to the workforce’s championship aspirations. Within the first spherical of the playoffs, he averaged 22.9 minutes per sport, and had a +/- of 9.8 factors throughout the five-game collection.

“I’m prepared for it. That is what I need to do and be part of,” Pritchard stated. “So, it’s sort of what I talked about final 12 months, and that’s what I wished. I knew I might contribute and I wished to assist win a championship.”

Pritchard acknowledged that final 12 months, his confidence was a bit shaken at instances after receiving a string of DNPs or having a tough stretch taking part in. However after Recreation 3, Jayson Tatum known as Payton Pritchard probably the most assured man he is aware of.

“However you sort of should look your self within the mirror each morning, and simply know what you’re able to and the work you place in,” Pritchard stated. “Actually what it comes all the way down to is all of the work, the hours that I put in. It simply constructed confidence, and now I really feel like I can go towards anyone.”

Subsequent up: The Celtics will apply once more tomorrow, after which, will face both Orlando or Cleveland within the subsequent spherical. The Cavaliers presently maintain a 3-2 collection lead over the Magic, with Recreation 6 going down tonight in Orlando. So, whereas Boston doesn’t but know who their subsequent opponent might be, the workforce is ready to be open-minded.

Bonus Content material: Derrick White will get an enormous kick out of the Celtics’ assistant coaches practising trick photographs.