NBA will test new halfcourt ‘heave’ rule that could help Payton Pritchard’s stats

Payton Pritchard. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff) Rumored Celtics target Damian Lillard reportedly in no rush to make free agent decision

One aspect of Payton Pritchard’s game that has drawn admiration from coach Joe Mazzulla more than once is Pritchard’s willingness to take halfcourt heaves.

“You see guys around the league pass up on that shot or fake like they want to take it, so that their numbers don’t get messed up,” Mazzulla told reporters last year during the NBA Finals. “He takes pride in taking that, and that’s winning basketball.”

Those shots, while entertaining and sometimes impactful at the end of quarters, are low-percentage opportunities.

Half-court heaves are taken from far…