Celtics observe pocket book: Jayson Tatum’s playmaking, the luxurious of Al Horford, and Playoff Payton Pritchard

AUERBACH CENTER — At Friday’s Celtics’ observe, 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 sequence with the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers set for Sport 6 tonight.

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

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

Joe Mazzulla favored 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 – significantly from an effectivity standpoint – however Joe Mazzulla confused at observe that he favored Tatum’s strategy.

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

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

Tatum was comfy 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 Sport 4, White tried 12 pictures greater than Tatum en path to a playoff career-high 38 factors.

“He’s actually grown this yr, and it’s simply going to look totally different each night time,” Mazzulla mentioned. “It’s going to look totally different each sequence. And he was in a position to actually regulate this sequence and discover different methods to impression the sport, which I feel is tremendous necessary.”

Not a lot adjustments 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 Sport 5 and can proceed to take action on this subsequent spherical of the playoffs. Technically, that’s a change, since he’s performed the function of Sixth Man for a lot of the season.

However, Horford mentioned at observe that not a lot adjustments 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 energetic for.

“My strategy kinda stays the identical,” Horford mentioned. “I need to ensure that defensively I’m strong, I’m giving help 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 impression 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 have the ability to play minutes for us when their numbers are known as,” Horford mentioned. “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 yr, however has been a crucial a part of the group all yr 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 yr in most classes.

At observe, Pritchard famous how a lot he’s having fun with the chance to get minutes throughout this playoff run and assist contribute to the group’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 sequence.

“I’m prepared for it. That is what I need to do and be part of,” Pritchard mentioned. “So, it’s sort of what I talked about final yr, and that’s what I needed. I knew I may contribute and I needed to assist win a championship.”

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

“However you sort of must look your self within the mirror each morning, and simply know what you’re able to and the work you place in,” Pritchard mentioned. “Actually what it comes right 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 observe once more tomorrow, after which, will face both Orlando or Cleveland within the subsequent spherical. The Cavaliers at present maintain a 3-2 sequence lead over the Magic, with Sport 6 going down tonight in Orlando. So, whereas Boston doesn’t but know who their subsequent opponent will probably be, the group is ready to be open-minded.

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