3 takeaways from the Boston Celtics revenge win in Detroit

Boston Celtics takeaway No. 2) Payton Pritchard is a viable backup PG

After moving Dennis Schroeder at the trade deadline, the Boston Celtics opened up bench minutes at point guard behind Marcus Smart.

While Derrick White can often be seen ball handling, it’s been Payton Pritchard who’s snatched the minutes. Including today’s win, Pritchard is averaging 15.8 minutes per game since the trade.

Coach Ime Udoka leaned on the former Oregon Duck more than usual during the Saturday matinee. Logging 27 minutes of action, the second-year guard produced 19 points, two rebounds, and six assists. Shooting 8-12 from the field and 3-5 from deep, Pritchard showed why he deserves consistent minutes.

The Boston Celtics don’t need the 2020 first-round pick to score 15 plus points a game, but if he can be a consistent scorer next to Derrick White, this could be a dangerous bench unit.

While PP isn’t the most sound defender, he possesses enough defensive energy on each possession to make a difference. Playing next to either Marcus Smart or Derrick White will take some of the defensive pressure off him. This doesn’t mean he can take possessions off, but it should prevent him from being exposed on that end of the floor.

For the third time this year, the 6-1 guard dropped at least six assists. This is a positive sign that Pritchard’s playmaking is continuing to improve.

The post-game presser was all positive for Payton as Udoka said, “He was playing well, guarding well, making shots”.

We will see if this performance earns Pritchard more minutes as the week rolls on.