Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is already odds-on to win Sixth Man of the Year and it’s not hard to see why after another dazzling performance on Monday.
Payton Pritchard handed 71% chance of winning 6MOY after blistering start
According to the best online betting sites, you can back Pritchard at odds of -250 to win the award – which gives him an implied probability of 71% after just six weeks of action.
The 26-year-old’s price is so short for good reason – he’s enjoying a thoroughly productive campaign off the bench for the reigning champions, averaging 16.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists a night on 43% from three, 49% from the field and 88% on free throws.
Against the Miami Heat on Monday, Pritchard extended his streak of scoring at least 20 points to four games – tallying 25 on the night with an efficient 10/17 shooting from the floor as well as five rebounds and four assists.
The 2020 first-round pick is leading all bench players in 20-point games this season and not only is he in with a big shout for Sixth Man of the Year – he’s also got a foot in the Most Improved Player race.
Pritchard is available at odds of +6000 for Most Improved Player and while it’s unlikely he’ll get his hands on both awards, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could do the double.
His scoring has elevated to 16.4 points from 9.6 per game, his made three-pointers have increased from 1.8 to 3.7 a night and teams are now putting a major focus on Pritchard in their scouting reports.
Payton Pritchard’s last 4 games:
25 PTS – 5 REB – 4 AST
24 PTS – 7 REB – 3 AST
29 PTS – 7 REB – 62% FG
20 PTS – 2 REB – 4 AST pic.twitter.com/ixRRAzNf9g— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 3, 2024
Pritchard’s development should come as no surprise, he’s finally been given an opportunity
For those who have watched the Celtics regularly since Pritchard was drafted in 2020, his talent has been clear to see and it’s about time his name entered the mainstream media across the league.
Through his first three years in the NBA, he struggled to find regular minutes and found himself stuck on the bench which led to a number of failed trade requests.
Brad Stevens refused to let go of who he believed was a very valuable player for the Celtics and insisted Pritchard’s opportunity would arrive, which it since has in abundance.
Last season he became a phenomenon for his long-range heaves, most notably at the first-half buzzer in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in June – and teams are now desperately reluctant to let Pritchard get a shot off to close a quarter.
Now, he’s an established piece of a championship-winning side and his story goes to show that good things come to those who wait – as Pritchard has bided his time to perfection.
