Pritchard scores 42 en route to a 117-115 victory over Cavaliers



The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 117-115 to improve to 11-9 on the season. Payton Pritchard had a career night, scoring 42 points to beat a playoff-contending Cavaliers team. 

Neemias Queta and Derrick White would be ruled out with injuries, putting Sam Hauser and Xavier Tillman Sr. in the starting lineup as a result. 

The Celtics would win the first quarter 28-26 off the back of 10 early points from Payton Pritchard. They would hold the Cavaliers to just 41% shooting from the field and 28% from three but committed 6 turnovers, which led to 8 points off turnovers for the Cavaliers. 

In the second, they would win the quarter 30-25 with a balanced offensive approach, without a single player in double figures. They would once again hold the Cavaliers to under 40% shooting from the floor but committed 5 more turnovers to keep the Cavs in the game.

Despite Jaylen Brown struggling in the first half, shooting just 2/9, the Celtics held a 58-51 lead going into halftime due in large part to Anfernee Simons and Payton Pritchard. The pair combined for 34 points on 14/18 shooting from the floor to help keep the Celtics afloat. 

Midway through the third quarter, the Celtics would go on a 21-3 run to take an 86-65 lead, but the Cavs would close go on a 14-4 run of their own in the last 4:45 to cut the lead down to 90-79. 

This was the highest-scoring quarter of the game for the Celtics despite not having any standout scorers. They took advantage of Cleveland's turnovers as well as grabbing 5 offensive rebounds to help maintain their lead. Evan Mobley and Jaylon Tyson combined for 24 of the 28 points for the Cavs, keeping them in the game despite facing a 21-point deficit. 

In the fourth quarter, Pritchard would take over, scoring 15 points to hold off a surging Cavaliers team. The defense was underwhelming, allowing the Cavaliers to score 36 points and nearly mount a comeback, but Pritchard hit big shots and free throws down the stretch to win the game and improve to 11-9 on the season. 
           
The good

Payton Pritchard dominated in a game where the Celtics needed every last point. Jaylen Brown had an off night, and the offense did not have Derrick White or Neemias Queta to fall back on, but Pritchard made it work. 

Despite having a poor shooting game, going just 3/13, Jaylen Brown recorded his fourth career triple double. For the first time all season, the Celtics significantly won the free throw battle, attempting 29 to the Cavaliers 13, thanks in large part to Jaylen Brown shooting 16 free throws. 

Jordan Walsh continues to improve and provide valuable minutes, scoring 14 points and grabbing 6 offensive rebounds while playing excellent defense. 

Without Neemias Queta, the Celtics still managed to get extra possessions, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds for 16 second-chance points. 

The bad

A big reason why the Cavaliers were able to keep themselves in the game was turnovers and offensive rebounding. The Celtics turned the ball over 19 times, which led to 25 points off turnovers, and allowed 16 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance points. The defense as a whole was bad, allowing 20 threes and 115 points. 

After a 41-point game the night before, Jaylen Brown had his worst shooting game of the season, going just 3/13 from the floor. Josh Minott played himself down the depth chart with an 0-5 performance. Minott looked lost every time he had the ball, which led to him playing just 12 minutes. 

Conclusion 

It came down to the wire after having a big lead, but a win is a win, especially when every game is a fight for standings. With no Derrick White or Neemias Queta, the Celtics beat a playoff contender and are now 3-1 in the toughest stretch of the season. They will host the Knicks on Tuesday in hopes of retribution after an early-season loss. 



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