Milwaukee Bucks guard Patrick Beverley drove previous 7-foot-2 Luke Kornet within the second quarter and instantly hit the Celtics huge man with a “too small” trash discuss gesture.
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard didn’t take care of the gesture and made the Bucks pay by dropping 10 factors within the quarter.
“He form of lit a fireplace beneath me. I felt like he was attempting to clown considered one of our teammates,” Pritchard advised reporters, as seen on NBC Sports activities Boston’s postgame protection. “Positively took it just a little private.”
Pritchard additionally had three assists and 4 rebounds within the quarter, together with one board he fought for from Brook Lopez. Clearly, a bit annoyed, Lopez shoved Pritchard and took a private foul. The Celtics trustworthy rewarded Pritchard with a standing ovation.
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“Payton obtained a coronary heart of a lion,” Derrick White stated on NBC Sports activities Boston’s postgame protection. “He don’t again down from anyone. He appears to be like ahead to matchups like this. He simply appears to be like ahead to hoopin’ interval. It doesn’t matter if it’s a blowout or an enormous recreation like this (in opposition to the Bucks).
“You like to play with a man like that. He simply loves hoopin’ and he’s an final competitor. It was huge time what he did for us within the first half and actually the second half, too. Each time he’s in there, he simply helps us win video games.”
The Celtics held off the Bucks for the 122-119 victory. Pritchard scored 19 factors, together with 5 three-pointers, three assists, and 6 rebounds, in 31 minutes off the bench.
“Payton was balling tonight, man,” Jaylen Brown advised Abby Chin, as seen on NBC Sports activities Boston. “In video games like this the place it’s two bodily groups, it’s the opposite guys that make the distinction. For Milwaukee, it was Bobby Portis. For us, it was Payton Pritchard. He’s been doing it night time in and night time out and he deserves some credit score.”
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The Celtics have received seven straight video games and maintain an 11-game benefit over the Bucks within the Jap Convention. Boston will look to increase its streak to eight video games once they tackle the Pistons in Detroit on Friday night time.