Pritchard drops a great quote about “Chirping Heat.” Erik Spoelstra originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Payton Pritchard puts his opponents on notice.

The Boston Celtics guard solidified his early Sixth Man of the Year prospects with another strong performance off the bench on Monday night: He posted 25 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block to make it 108- 89 victory over the Miami Heat.

Pritchard scored a handful of his points in isolation against Heat defenders, and after several of those throws he directed some pointed words and a scowl at Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra and the Heat bench.

“You can’t protect me,” Pritchard appeared to say after putting Heat rookie Pelle Larsson in a blender. He then appeared to shake his head at Spoelstra after hitting an easy stepback jumper over Tyler Herro.

Pritchard did not deny barking at Spoelstra and the Heat bench after the game. But don’t ask him what exactly he said because he claims he doesn’t remember.

“I’m sure I said something,” Pritchard told reporters afterward. “But sometimes I kind of faint in those moments.”

“But of course I have respect for them. They’re a good organization, they play hard as a team, so it’s nothing personal. Ultimately it’s all about competitiveness.”

Pritchard has always been a fierce competitor and a tireless worker. With that work comes a level of confidence that has helped the 26-year-old guard elevate his game far beyond what fans and even opponents might have expected from him.

Case in point: Pritchard just became the first player in the NBA to score more than 20 points in four straight games off the bench this season, and the first Celtics player to do so since Isaiah Thomas in 2015.

Like Thomas, the undersized Pritchard plays with an outsized chip on his shoulder and isn’t afraid to let opposing teams know they can’t guard him. This advantage has helped Pritchard develop into a true goalscorer who takes things personally every night, regardless of the opponent.

“Honestly, I look at it as a rivalry against any team,” Pritchard said when asked if he still views the Celtics-Heat as a rivalry. “I get up to play against every team there is. It doesn’t matter if they are in last place. Miami is a good organization. They’re ready to play and so are we.”

Pritchard will look to keep his streak going on Wednesday when the Celtics host the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.