Payton Pritchard dominates offense as Celtics rout Bulls

Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 28 points, scoring 19 of those in a 7:12 stretch of the third quarter as the Celtics built a 34-14 run for a 105-75 lead. Pritchard nailed seven 3-pointers, showing the offensive impact he has been working to bring to the team since signing a two-year contract extension last season. He was determined to atone for a 4-point outing in the previous game, and his aggressive mindset helped the Celtics cruise to a 134-99 victory over the Bulls.

With Jayson Tatum pulled after his fourth foul with 7:15 left in the third period, Pritchard nearly single-handedly tripled a 10-point lead as the Celtics coasted to victory. Pritchard said he has been a slow starter in his career and wants to change that trend. He wants to give himself forgiveness for his struggles but will strive to perform better for the team.

The Celtics received balanced production, with Tatum scoring 36 points and George scoring 38 points. Pritchard and Sam Hauser countered with 3-pointers, and Pritchard followed with a short jumper. Later in the quarter, he splashed three 3-pointers in a 64.4-second span for a 31-point lead. Of his five 3-pointers in that quarter, one was from 29 feet and two from 28. But those are normal jumpers from Pritchard’s arsenal.

Tatum didn’t need to carry any responsibility late in the game. For the first time this season, the Celtics enjoyed a laugher, and received production from others than Tatum and George. Hugo González scored a season-high 13 points in 24 minutes with five rebounds. Hauser nailed three 3-pointers. Mazzulla decided to play Tatum, George, and Mitchell Robinson on the first night of a back-to-back, setting up a different starting lineup for the next game.

The Bulls are in rebuild mode, focused on the development of rookie Caleb Wilson and third-year forward Matas Buzelis. Wilson showed flashes of his potential, using a shoulder fake to get a step on George for a dunk and a foul. He finished with 17 points in 32 minutes. Norman Powell led Chicago with 20 points, but the Bulls missed 32 3-pointers overall and committed 17 turnovers in the second half.

Mazzulla said that having different identities and different lineups is key to winning regardless of who is on the court. He said that regardless of who’s out there, the Celtics have to stick to the process of winning. The Bulls return to TD Garden for their final visit of the season Friday.