Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) shoots a foul shot in front of teammate Drew Peterson (13) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) late in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) AP

Payton Pritchard jumps too quickly off the free throw line, turning the ball over and putting the Cavaliers in position to win.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla could have inserted Pritchard into the starting lineup for Sunday’s showdown with the Cavaliers after Derrick White (foot) and Jaylen Brown (illness) were scratched, but with Pritchard meshing well with the second unit and emerging as a top bench scorer,

Mitchell scored 11 points in a row down the stretch as the Cavs overcame a 14-point deficit to maintain the NBA's best record.

The moment arrived in the third quarter and Donovan Mitchell seized it. After Jayson Tatum hit a 3-pointer over him, Mitchell sensed the Celtics’ momentum and confidence growing.