ESPN Identifies X-Factor For Celtics' 1st-Round Playoff Series
This "inconsistent" Boston Celtics player could swing their opening postseason matchup.
ESPN Identifies X-Factor For Celtics' 1st-Round Playoff Series originally appeared on NESN . Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Boston Celtics will begin an improbable championship pursuit when opening their postseason this Sunday.
One important player could hold the key to avoiding an early upset. ESPN's Dean Oliver identified Payton Pritchard as the Celtics player who can swing their first-round series . Even in a superlative year, the 28-year-old has endured some notable ebbs and flows.
"The Celtics are a machine that adapts to what the opponent does, but if there's a player whose performance can be volatile, it's Pritchard," Oliver wrote. "He has been among the 30 most inconsistent players this season, posting 23 good games and 17 bad ones (plus-37 average efforts). " Pritchard elevated his game this season, registering career-highs in points (17.
0), assists (5. 2) and rebounds (3. 9) per game.