On an evening when the Boston Celtics have been lacking two key starters – Jaylen Brown and Al Horford – a “subsequent man up” mentality was vital. Jayson Tatum led the crew with 20 factors, however Boston’s second unit stepped up in an enormous approach, serving to the Celtics earn a 109-98 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
Three totally different bench gamers scored 9 or extra factors – Malcolm Brogdon, Luke Kornet, and Payton Pritchard – elevating the Celtics previous Brooklyn. Marcus Good praised the second unit after the sport, noting how they have been capable of flip the tide again in favor of the Celtics.
“We simply love the way in which that, like I mentioned, the subsequent man can step up,” Good instructed NBC Sports activities Boston. “Such as you simply talked about, Payton and Malcolm coming in, and to be trustworthy, these two and that group with Sam [Hauser] and people two actually modified the sport for us. They received us on a rhythm, they received our momentum again for us, and you understand, we’re happy with the blokes. Each day we attempt to give these guys their flowers as a result of we perceive that they don’t get it as a lot. However they do numerous the issues that assist this crew win.”
With just a little over 4 minutes to go within the third quarter, the Celtics discovered themselves down 75-70. Brogdon, Pritchard, and Kornet all checked in throughout the span of 20 seconds, and by the tip of the interval, Boston was up 84-82. Throughout that span, Brogdon recorded six factors, and Pritchard notched two.
Pritchard mentioned the second unit was capable of make the most of its velocity and tempo to be able to assist give the Celtics a bonus.
“I believe the second unit, we simply tried to essentially, like he mentioned, push the tempo, use our quickness,” Pritchard instructed CLNS Media. “After we’re in there, numerous us can put it on the bottom and make a play contact the paint, kick out, get to the rim. So, [it] makes us actually harmful and quick, and I believe that’s what sort of modified the sport is that velocity.”
The 24-year-old guard, who has struggled to earn common taking part in time this season, dropped 9 factors, three rebounds, and a steal in opposition to the Nets in 14:37 of motion. He shot 4-of-7 from the ground and 1-of-3 from behind the three-point line.
His high quality night time adopted one other stable recreation in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on January 11 – the primary leg of Boston’s back-to-back earlier than taking over the Nets. Pritchard logged 17:49 in opposition to the Pelicans – his second-highest minute complete of the season – and put up three factors and 6 assists.
With Good and Brown lacking time, he’s been getting an opportunity to play significant minutes, and head coach Joe Mazzulla praised his potential to remain prepared even when the taking part in time isn’t coming his approach.
“I mentioned it earlier than, so far as our depth, like, I belief these guys,” Mazzulla instructed CLNS Media. “And to have an ideal crew, you bought to have guys which have the humility to know when it’s their time to step up. And when it’s their time to not. For Payton, I’m actually completely happy for him. He’s maintained a degree of professionalism, preparation, and simply toughness to only keep the course.”
After incomes his spot within the rotation towards the tip of final yr, Pritchard was displaced after the addition of Brogdon over the summer time. Brogdon, Good, and Derrick White have dominated the minutes on the level guard place, leaving Pritchard to struggle for scraps.
Brogdon has needed to make sacrifices in Boston this yr, although, transitioning right into a bench position for the primary time since his sophomore season. He, too, had an enormous night time in opposition to the Pelicans (20 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists) forward of his 16-point efficiency in opposition to the Nets.
He famous an identical level, stating that he and Pritchard mentioned the concept of pushing the tempo in an try to spark Boston’s offense.
“I believe we simply picked up the tempo,” Brogdon instructed CLNS Media. “Me and Payton have been speaking about it on the bench, simply taking part in sooner. I assumed we got here out, we performed just a little bit gradual. At instances we struggled getting photographs, good photographs, simple photographs, within the half courtroom. We simply picked up the tempo, tried to push just a little bit. Even when we didn’t get a transition bucket, we received a number of paint assaults. And, you understand, by 15 seconds on the shot clock, we’re getting an open shot. So if you play effectively on offense, it results in your protection getting higher and higher.”
