Payton Pritchard played an important role in the Boston Celtics’ tough win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night, and the point guard believes Patrick Beverley deserves some credit.
Pritchard had one of his better games of the season, scoring 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists while shooting 7/11. He shot 5/8 from three-point range. Pritchard’s best stretch of play came in the first half, after Beverley scored a shot over Celtics big man Luke Kornet and teased him with the “too small” gesture.
After Boston’s 122-119 victory over the Bucks, Pritchard was asked if he took Beverley’s taunt personally. Pritchard said that the gesture encouraged him to “bring more energy, more dog to it.”
“He was trying to clown one of our teammates, so, definitely took it a little personal,” Pritchard told reporters.
Much of Pritchard’s scoring came as Beverley was protecting him. He also made many defensive plays and energized the crowd at TD Garden, helping the Celtics to victory. It also undoubtedly helped Boston that Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with an injury.
Pritchard has taken on a larger role this season since the Celtics parted ways with Marcus Smart. The way he handled Beverley’s pleasant trash talk bodes well for Boston as the season progresses and the playoffs approach.
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