The Celtics took care of business for the second straight game against a Western Conference opponent, leading by as many as 24 points before holding on for a frantic 121-118 win over the Clippers at TD Garden.
Payton Pritchard continued to pull himself out of an October 3-point shooting funk in the victory, erupting for 30 points, making him Sunday’s “Name to Know” Player of the Game.
The Name to Know Player of the Game is sponsored by John’s Sewer and Drain Cleaning, the Name to Know when your drains don’t flow.
Pritchard finished with 30 points, four rebounds and two assists in the victory, but it was his efficiency that made the difference all night. Pritchard made eight of his first 10 3-point attempts, helping him finish with a season-high in both points and 3-point makes. He went 10-of-16 from the field and 8-of-13 on 3-point attempts.
The stellar stretch follows up a 24-point outing against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night in which Pritchard knocked down 50 percent of his 3-point attempts (5-of-10). Over the last two games, Pritchard has raised his 3-point shooting percentages on the year from 25 percent to just over 32 percent.
He spoke last week about how he’s been able to snap out of his early-season slump of late.
“I was just kind of in a funk mentally,” Pritchard said. “Just didn’t play with the same juice, same energy. No pace. … Just had the mindset that I was going to come in. It wasn’t about the scoring, but when I got the ball, push it as fast as possible. Attacking, Just playing that way. I feel like when I’m playing that way, I’m playing my best.”
Sunday’s performance helped push the Celtics back up to the .500 mark for the second time all season at 7-7 despite starting the season with an 0-3 record. With a pair of dates against the Nets coming this week, the Celtics have a chance to play their way up the very tight Eastern Conference standings. Boston is currently in the 11th spot in the East but is just two games behind the No. 2 seed Knicks at 8-4.
Boston returns to action on Tuesday night at Barclays Center against the Nets, where they will try to crack the .500 mark for the first time all year.
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