Can we start a petition for this to be the most exciting playoffs ever? Surprisingly, the #1 seed Cavs are facing the #4 seed Pacers in the most one-sided series so far, where the Pacers just blew the Cavs out of the water for a 3-1 lead. Just second in the list is the Celtics-Knicks, where the Knicks have the opportunity to give Boston the same fate as Cleveland. But the usual suspects aren’t running the show anymore, because, unlike the last season, others are overshadowing the Jaylen Brown-Jayson Tatum pair.

• In the first three games of the series, here’s a fact that will put things in perspective. Jayson Tatum’s start to this Knicks series was historically one of the worst in Celtics history. He’s one of just four players in Celtics history to take at least 40 shots over two consecutive games and shoot under 30%.
• In the first two games at home alone, some uncharacteristic 3-point shooting struggles that led the Celtics to blow up consecutive 20-point third-quarter leads are a stat to stare at. Tatum, for one, made just 12 of 42 shots (29%) and has frequently settled for 3-pointers, where he is 5-of-20 (25%). His eight out of the only nine free throws he’s taken led to turnovers.
• Tatum, who shouldered the blame after the Game 2 performance, found his rhythm in Game 3. He had 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and two steals to show for it, but the real difference maker was Payton Pritchard, who logged a team-high 23 points off the bench. He was 5-for-10 from deep. All five Celtics starters made at least two 3-pointers.

As Celtics fans search for answers, Brian Windhorst pinpoints the exact flaws that may be holding the Brown-Tatum duo back. Last season, apart from being consistent on the scoring board, Brown was shooting 51.6% from the field and 32.7% from three-point range. Tatum was no less, either, with a field goal percentage of 46.3% and a three-point percentage of 33.8%. However, “In [this] series, Jaylen Brown is shooting 21% on threes still, and Tatum is overall still shooting 32% and 35% on threes. They are not out of their slumps,” said Brian Windhorst on his pod. He then moved on to discuss a private chat he had with Payton Pritchard after Game 3, but couldn’t help but mention how Pritchard came through despite having once pleaded with Brad Stevens to move him if the Celtics’ president of basketball operations didn’t see a robust role for him in the team.

“Talked to him in the locker room after the game. This is the first time I’ve talked to him face-to-face since he won the [NBA Sixth Man of the Year] Award. I congratulated him on winning the award, and I said, ‘What would you have said if I told you two years ago?’ Because you know, two years ago,  he wasn’t playing. He’s like, ‘Yeah, I never would have believed.’ I’m just saying that, ‘two years ago, I wouldn’t have believed that you would’ve had a 25-point game in the Garden and you’d be a Sixth Man of the Year’.”

For Brown to be averaging just 21 points a game while also shooting 21% from deep just gives him a fantastic chance at Blackjack. In the NBA conf. semifinals, it’s something that has to improve. Let’s just say he’s just a victim of his success. Can the same be said about Jayson Tatum? Absolutely. “You understand what comes with being that guy, right? I live a great life, I ain’t gonna lie. It’s a lot of, I make a lot of money, I take care of my family, I’ve been able to experience a lot of things. But you also have to accept what comes with that, right?” said JT after the game.

He got two double-doubles in the first two games, which in itself would’ve been an achievement. But the Celtics’ DNA hasn’t been on display, missing threes after threes. And Tatum is a part of that slump. He’s averaging just 32% from the field and 35% from deep. So, what’s the cause? Is it the pressure of being the big dog? But he’s just playing his game, not worried about public opinion. That’s how he shines. “There are a lot of people that came before me that they criticize, and there’s gonna be people that come after me that they criticize. And, for me, it’s just, it’s a sense of joy that I play with, right?”

In Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum’s absence, there’s one man still gunning for a dub. Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard has taken this as an opportunity to show his worth. And showing his worth is exactly what he did. To come from Joe Mazzulla not even batting an eye, to bring their clutch performer of the year, Pritchard, has come a long way.

Payton Pritchard: the unsung hero for the Celtics

Just a year before the Celtics won the championship last season,  Payton Pritchard had publicly asked Boston to move on from him. But instead, not only did he end up signing a long-term contract, but he also won the championship the following year. “It’s funny the difference a year will make,” Pritchard said before winning the championship last year. Currently, it’s that time of the year again when Boston is giving their all for another championship. Although the Celtics are not running the show anymore, Pritchard’s recent confession is all the Boston Nation needs to know.

When Boston’s elites, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, are failing big time, there’s one man still gunning for a dub. Sixth Man of the Year Payton Pritchard has taken this as an opportunity to show his worth with a 23-point game. To come from Joe Mazzulla not even batting an eye, to bring their clutch performer of the year, Pritchard, has come a long way. Unlike the rest of his comrades, he shot an even 50-50 from the field and deep, along with the 4 boards, 2 points, and a steal. He scored more points in Game 3 alone than Brown and Tatum. All this does is put HC Mazzulla in a state of relief, knowing the team can handle itself when the duo is having an off day.

“Peyton Pritchard was awesome. He had one of the great best playoff game of his career. Showed why he was a deserving six-man of the year winner,” said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. To come from wanting to leave the Celtics two years ago is a sheer display of character.

But for Payton, all he’s doing is earning out of his obsession, living in Beantown. “At the end of the day, it was always the same thing,” Pritchard said. “I wanted to be able to play and be able to play every game. And sweat out there. And really feel like I’m contributing. Fortunately enough, on this team, this year, I feel like I have a role to help the team win.” The Celtics don’t look likely to defend their championship yet, but he can go home with some consolation personally, winning the Sixth Man of the Year.

While Game 3 was a reminder, the Celtics are still the champions. Mazulla’s team once again slipped in Game 4 and is just a loss away from an exit. Three slip-ups caused the Knicks to get two on the board. But Boston is out to hunt. They can only do so if Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum wake up for game 5 onwards, because their numbers remain the biggest pain point for the Celtics nation.