Perhaps Payton Pritchard was tired of facing questions about his individual situation. Before the Celtics guard took off for the All-Star break last week, his message was loud and clear.
After the Celtics’ blowout victory over the Nets last Wednesday that sent them into the break on a high note, Pritchard was asked what he’s looking forward to most during the second half of the season. And when the question was prefaced with a comment about his situation from a year ago at this time — when he was struggling to find consistent playing time — Pritchard cut it off.
“I’m looking forward to winning,” Pritchard said. “Winning a championship and being a part of that. That’s the one goal we all have here, and that’s what we’re all focused on.”
The Celtics’ championship goal has always been obvious, of course, but now faces a bigger and bigger spotlight as they enter the home stretch of the regular season. With 27 games to go before the playoffs, the C’s remain in prime position as the clear title favorite. The next two months will be about maintaining that status and ensuring they are well-positioned for another playoff run.
As the Celtics return to action on Thursday night in Chicago, some things to keep an eye on:
1. Priorities first
The Celtics are in an extremely favorable position as they start their post-break schedule. At 43-12, they have the best record in the NBA by four games over the Timberwolves. They sit atop the Eastern Conference by six games over the Cavaliers. They have the third-easiest schedule remaining in the NBA, with only the Nets and Magic having easier slates.
According to Basketball Reference, the Celtics have a 99.9% probability of claiming the top seed in the East, and they’re on pace to win 64 games.
With a comfortable cushion in the standings and a relatively easy schedule — the C’s have multiple matchups against the Pistons, Wizards, Hornets and Blazers — there is ample opportunity for them to save their legs for the playoffs. There should be a continued priority to preserve Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed 15 of the Celtics’ first 55 games and has been beat up with various minor injuries, as well as veteran Al Horford, who wore down last postseason after a heavier regular-season workload.
The C’s have shown they have plenty to win games while shorthanded this season, and while there should be a priority to taking care of business to secure the No. 1 seed, having full health is arguably more important.
2. Fitting in and experimenting
It’s unclear when Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer will make their Celtics debuts. Both missed the Celtics’ final four games before the break after they were traded to Boston at the deadline as they nursed injuries. Among Joe Mazzulla’s initiatives over the final stretch will be to get both acclimated within the Celtics’ system and help them develop chemistry with the regulars, especially Tillman. It seems unlikely the big man will play significant minutes in the playoffs behind Porzingis and Horford, but developing trust in him will be critical as he figures to be a valuable insurance option if someone goes down.
The final 27 games will also serve as a chance for Mazzulla to do some experimenting with lineups or schemes without worrying too much about results impacting them negatively. Among other things, the Celtics have been working on a zone defense throughout the season that has yielded mixed results, so they can keep working on that. The C’s also have several games against potential playoff opponents — including two against the Bucks — to do some experimenting and have on tape for a playoff series.
3. Maintaining defensive habits
At the All-Star break, the Celtics ranked third in the NBA in defensive rating behind the Timberwolves and Cavaliers, and they’ve continued to stay consistent on that end even after the departures of Marcus Smart and Robert Williams as Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have stepped in well. It’s no secret the defense slipped in last season’s playoffs and contributed greatly to their ultimate demise as they couldn’t overcome a 3-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference finals. If the Celtics get over the hump this year, they’ll need to rely on their defense, and maintaining their focus and habits over this stretch is an important foundational element in their chase for a title.
And the Celtics could be in line for some recognition on defense. Jaylen Brown has spoken, at times unprompted, about his desire to be selected to the All-Defensive team, and he’s backed up that talk. The next two months, especially against weaker competition, will be a good opportunity for the All-Star to firmly establish himself as a premier defender in the league.
4. MVP chase?
Seemingly overnight, the debate over Jayson Tatum’s MVP candidacy has picked up steam. The Celtics star finished sixth in ESPN’s MVP straw poll that was released before the All-Star break, and that seemed to ignite a national conversation about his place. It has been something of a polarizing topic, with his supporters praising him for his sacrifice and being the best player on the best team, and naysayers saying he benefits from the most talented roster in the league.
The MVP race is certainly wide open after frontrunner Joel Embiid’s knee injury has made him ineligible (due to the 65 games played minimum) and Tatum has two months to sway the voters.
He has five matchups against other top MVP candidates — March 1 vs. Luka Doncic’s Mavericks, March 7 against Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets, April 3 vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder and March 20 and April 9 against Giannis Antetekounmp and the Bucks — that could prove pivotal in the race. With big performances in those games, and a dominant two-month stretch to finish the season, Tatum could put himself in the running for MVP.