Perhaps Payton Pritchard was uninterested in dealing with questions on his particular person scenario. Before the Celtics guard took off for the All-Star break final week, his message was loud and clear.
After the Celtics’ blowout victory over the Nets final Wednesday that despatched them into the break on a excessive notice, Pritchard was requested what he’s trying ahead to most through the second half of the season. And when the query was prefaced with a remark about his scenario from a yr in the past presently – when he was struggling to seek out constant taking part in time – Pritchard lower it off.
“I’m looking forward to winning,” Pritchard mentioned. “Winning a championship and being a part of that. That’s the one goal we all have here, and that’s what we’re all focused on.”
The Celtics’ championship aim has at all times been apparent, after all, however now faces a much bigger and larger highlight as they enter the house stretch of the common season. With 27 video games to go earlier than the playoffs, the C’s stay in prime place because the clear title favourite. The subsequent two months can be about sustaining that standing and guaranteeing they’re well-positioned for one more playoff run.
As the Celtics return to motion on Thursday evening in Chicago, some issues to regulate:
1. Priorities first
The Celtics are in a particularly favorable place as they begin their post-break schedule. At 43-12, they’ve the very best report within the NBA by 4 video games over the Timberwolves. They sit atop the Eastern Conference by six video games over the Cavaliers. They have the third-easiest schedule remaining within the NBA, with solely the Nets and Magic having simpler slates.
According to Basketball Reference, the Celtics have a 99.9 p.c chance of claiming the highest seed within the East, they usually’re on tempo to win 64 video games.
With a cushty cushion within the standings and a comparatively simple schedule – the C’s have a number of matchups in opposition to the Pistons, Wizards, Hornets and Blazers – there’s ample alternative for them to avoid wasting their legs for the playoffs. There ought to be a continued precedence to protect Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed 15 of the Celtics’ first 55 video games and has been beat up with varied minor accidents, in addition to veteran Al Horford, who wore down final postseason after a heavier regular-season workload. The C’s have proven they’ve a lot to win video games whereas shorthanded this season, and whereas there ought to be a precedence to taking good care of enterprise to safe the No. 1 seed, having full well being is arguably extra essential.
2. Fitting in and experimenting
It’s unclear when Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer will make their Celtics debuts. Both missed the Celtics’ closing 4 video games earlier than the break after they had been traded to Boston on the deadline as they nursed accidents. Among Joe Mazzulla’s initiatives over the ultimate stretch can be to get each acclimated inside the Celtics’ system and assist them develop chemistry with the regulars, particularly Tillman. It appears unlikely the massive man will play vital minutes within the playoffs behind Porzingis and Horford, however creating belief in him can be important as he figures to be a invaluable insurance coverage possibility if somebody goes down.
The closing 27 video games will even function an opportunity for Mazzulla to do some experimenting with lineups or schemes with out worrying an excessive amount of about outcomes impacting them negatively. Among different issues, the Celtics have been engaged on a zone protection all through the season that has yielded combined outcomes, to allow them to preserve engaged on that. The C’s even have a number of video games in opposition to potential playoff opponents – together with two in opposition to the Bucks – to do some experimenting and have on tape for a playoff collection.
3. Maintaining defensive habits
At the All-Star break, the Celtics ranked third within the NBA in defensive score behind the Timberwolves and Cavaliers, they usually’ve continued to remain constant on that finish even after the departures of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams as Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have stepped in effectively. It’s no secret that the protection slipped in final season’s playoffs and contributed tremendously to their final demise as they couldn’t overcome a 3-0 deficit within the Eastern Conference Finals. If the C’s recover from the hump this yr, they’ll have to depend on their protection, and sustaining their focus and habits over this stretch is a vital foundational factor of their chase for a title.
And, not for nothing, the Celtics could possibly be in line for some recognition on protection. Jaylen Brown has spoken, at occasions unprompted, about his need to be chosen to the All-Defensive staff, and he’s backed up that discuss. The subsequent two months, particularly in opposition to weaker competitors, can be a superb alternative for the All-Star to firmly set up himself as a premier defender within the league.
4. MVP chase?
Seemingly in a single day, the talk over Jayson Tatum’s MVP candidacy has picked up steam. The Celtics star completed sixth in ESPN’s MVP straw ballot that was launched earlier than the All-Star break, and that appeared to ignite a nationwide dialog about his place. It has been one thing of a polarizing matter, together with his supporters praising him for his sacrifice and being the very best participant on the very best staff, and naysayers saying he advantages from essentially the most gifted roster within the league.
The MVP race is actually vast open after frontrunner Joel Embiid’s knee damage has made him ineligible (because of the 65 video games performed minimal) and Tatum has two months to sway the voters. He has 5 matchups in opposition to different prime MVP candidates – March 1 vs. Luka Doncic’s Mavericks, March 7 in opposition to Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, April 3 vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder and March 20 and April 9 in opposition to Giannis Antetekounmp and the Bucks – that would show pivotal within the race. With huge performances in these video games, and a dominant two-month stretch to complete the season, Tatum may put himself within the working for MVP.
Source: www.bostonherald.com