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 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 present’s apply:

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

In 5 video games in opposition to 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 harassed at apply that he preferred Tatum’s strategy.

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

Photograph by Megan Briggs/Getty Pictures

Miami usually crowded Tatum, sending two or three defenders at him. That protection allowed for teammates like Derrick White to get clear appears, 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 essential Sport 4, White tried 12 pictures 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 completely different each evening,” Mazzulla mentioned. “It’s going to look completely different each collection. And he was capable of actually alter this collection and discover different methods to affect the sport, which I feel is tremendous essential.”

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 position of Sixth Man for a lot of the season.

However, Horford mentioned at apply 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 varied 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 wish to ensure that defensively I’m stable, 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 affect successful. It doesn’t change.”

Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Pictures

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 12 months, however has been a essential a part of the crew 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 crew’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 wish to do and be part of,” Pritchard mentioned. “So, it’s form 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 occasions after receiving a string of DNPs or having a tough stretch enjoying. However after Sport 3, Jayson Tatum known as Payton Pritchard essentially the most assured man he is aware of.

“However you form of should look your self within the mirror each morning, and simply know what you’re able to and the work you set 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 in opposition to anyone.”

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

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