Payton Pritchard might have grown weary of having his personal circumstances questioned. The Celtics guard made his point quite clear before leaving for the All-Star break last week.
Following the Celtics’ decisive victory against the Nets on Wednesday, which put them on a high note heading into the break, Pritchard was questioned about what he was most excited about in the second half of the season. Pritchard interrupted the question when it was asked in reference to his predicament a year prior, when he was having difficulty securing regular playing time.
“I’m excited to be victorious,” Pritchard stated. Being a part of and winning a championship. That is our shared objective, and it is the main thing on which we are all concentrating.
Naturally, the Celtics’ quest for a title has always been clear, but as the regular season draws to a close, the spotlight is growing on them. The C’s are still the overwhelming favorites to win the championship with 27 games remaining before the postseason. The goal for the next two months will be to hold onto that status and make sure they are in a strong position to make another postseason push.
Here are some things to watch as the Celtics play again in Chicago on Thursday night:
1. First things first
As the Celtics begin their post-break schedule, they are in a very advantageous situation. They lead the NBA in record by four games over the Timberwolves with 43-12. They lead the Cavaliers by six games at the top of the Eastern Conference. They still have the third-simplest schedule in the NBA; the two teams with easier schedules are the Magic and the Nets.
The Celtics are on track to win 64 games and have a 99.9 percent chance of taking home the first seed in the East, according to Basketball Reference.
With several matches against the Pistons, Wizards, Hornets, and Blazers, as well as a comfortable lead in the standings, the C’s have plenty of opportunity to preserve their legs for the postseason. Maintaining Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed 15 of the Celtics’ first 55 games due to a variety of minor injuries, and veteran Al Horford, who became exhausted last postseason due to a larger regular-season effort, should continue to be a top concern.
While taking care of business to capture the No. 1 seed should be a priority, the C’s have demonstrated this season that they have what it takes to win games even when shorthanded. In fact, maintaining good health may be more crucial.
2. Blending in and taking chances
When Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer will play for the Celtics is a mystery. Due to injuries, both missed the Celtics’ final four games prior to the break after being dealt to Boston at the deadline. During the last stretch, one of Joe Mazzulla’s goals will be to assist them establish a rapport with the regulars, notably Tillman, and get both adjusted to the Celtics’ system. Building confidence in the big man is essential because he is a crucial insurance policy in case someone gets hurt. It appears doubtful that the big man will play major minutes in the playoffs behind Porzingis and Horford.
Mazzulla will also have an opportunity to experiment with lineups and strategies throughout the final 27 games without having to worry too much about how the results will affect them. The Celtics can continue working on zone defense, among other things, as they have been working on it all season with varying degrees of success. In addition, the C’s have a number of games against prospective playoff rivals, including two against the Bucks, to allow them to test out new lineups and prepare for a postseason series.
3. Continuing to be defensive
The Celtics were third in the NBA in defensive rating at the All-Star break, after the Timberwolves and Cavaliers. Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have filled in admirably, and the team has remained steady defensively even with the departures of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams. It’s no secret that the defense faltered during the playoffs the previous season, which was a major factor in their eventual collapse when they were unable to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference Finals. Should the C’s overcome their obstacles this year, they’ll
must rely on their defense, therefore keeping their composure and routines throughout this time is crucial to their pursuit of a title.
Not to mention, the Celtics might deserve some respect for their defense. Jaylen Brown has expressed his desire to be named to the All-Defensive team on occasion without being asked, and he has provided evidence to support those remarks. The All-Star has a great chance to solidify his position as the league’s top defender over the next two months, especially against lesser opposition.
4. MVP pursuit?
The discussion around Jayson Tatum’s MVP candidacy has gained momentum, seemingly overnight. Before the All-player break, ESPN issued its MVP straw poll, and the Celtics player came in sixth, which seemed to spark a national dialogue about his status. It’s been a contentious subject, with some applauding him for his selflessness and for being the best player on the greatest team, while detractors claim he gains from having the finest roster in the league.
With front-runner Joel Embiid out of the running due to a knee injury and the 65-game requirement, the MVP race is definitely wide open, and Tatum has two months to influence the electorate.
He faces five opponents who could be crucial in the battle for MVP: Luka Doncic’s Mavericks on March 1, Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets on March 7, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder on April 3, Giannis Antetokounmp and the Bucks on March 20 and April 9.Tatum may be able to enter the MVP race with strong showings in those games and a strong final two months of the campaign.
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