Celtics star falls over Payton Pritchard after Bulls win

The Celtics had a fully healthy roster for the first time all season at the start of Friday’s win over the Bulls, but that didn’t stop them from leaning heavily on their sixth man when it mattered most. Payton Pritchard erupted for 19 of his season-high 29 points in the fourth quarter, helping Boston rally to a 138-129 victory over Chicago at the United Center on Friday night. It was Boston’s seventh straight win in a row, which pulled the team within a half game of the Cavs for the top spot in the East. The win also kept the Celtics alive in the NBA Cup and kept the door open for a wild-card berth thanks to Pritchard’s heroics.

The point guard knocked down seven 3s in his 28 minutes and played the final 19 minutes of the game after Derrick White was sidelined in the third quarter with a foot injury. He helped Boston take control of the game midway through the fourth quarter with 11 straight points for the visitors in an 11-4 run to quiet a Chicago crowd that believed the Bulls could make it in NBA Cup action.

“Obviously it’s a great feeling, but I feel like the best feeling is to win on the road and be able to help my team get over the hump tonight,” Pritchard told reporters in Chicago, via NBC Sports Boston . “Obviously I feel it. I can hear the crowd, the gravity it pulls. It was definitely a fun night.”

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That scoring outburst came with Jayson Tatum (35 points) on the bench, who could only rave about his 6-foot-1 teammate as he added his sixth Man of the Year case.

“I say all the time, me and P, the same high school class, so I’ve seen that fearless competitive nature ever since we were 13,” Tatum told reporters. “It’s been pretty cool to see him grow into the player he is, being effective on a championship team and the things he’s doing are Sixth Man of the Year worthy for me.”

Pritchard scored 29 of the Celtics’ 34 points off the bench in the win and was one of six Celtics in double figures. As his minutes and role increase in his fifth NBA season, he appreciates the respect he’s earned from more experienced members of the roster, but believes it stems from one key thing.

“Through the hard work,” Pritchard explained. “They see the hours I put in, and that creates respect among my teammates. This is how I get respect from other people, but also how other people earn my respect is through work.”

That hard work has turned the late first-round pick into a crucial part of Boston’s title core. Entering the first year of a four-year contract, Pritchard remains eager to build on the best start to his career.

“Just being confident in yourself, knowing that you’re one of the best, and all the hard work and hours you put in over the summer that you’re able to come and help the team win on any given night . I have a strong belief in myself and I feel that my teammates also believe in me to be able to take it on.”