Payton Pritchard delivered a stellar performance on Thursday night, dropping 27 points and drilling seven 3-pointers to help the Boston Celtics cruise past the Detroit Pistons, 123-99.
The victory marked Boston’s 20th win of the season and their fourth in the last five games, as the team showcased its depth and resilience despite missing key players.
Pritchard’s sharpshooting not only powered Boston to a dominant win but also added to his growing case for Sixth Man of the Year honors. The guard’s night included hitting his 500th career 3-pointer, a milestone that makes him just the 10th player in Celtics history to achieve the feat. Alongside him, Derrick White added 23 points and matched Pritchard’s seven 3-pointers, further underlining Boston’s long-range prowess.
The Celtics connected on an impressive 20 triples as a team, a testament to their perimeter efficiency. Their relentless offense saw them extend their lead to as much as 32 points in the fourth quarter. Overall, six Celtics finished in double figures, highlighting a balanced attack that proved too much for Detroit to handle.
Cade Cunningham was a bright spot for the Pistons, contributing 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. However, Detroit’s struggles from beyond the arc proved costly. The team shot a dismal 2 of 19 from deep in the first half and finished the game at 7 of 37, a glaring contrast to Boston’s accuracy.
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Boston’s win was even more impressive considering they played without All-Star Jayson Tatum, who rested due to a sore right knee. Sam Hauser was also sidelined with a strained abdominal muscle. Head coach Joe Mazzulla reassured fans that Tatum’s absence was precautionary and that his knee issue isn’t serious. The Celtics didn’t miss a beat, displaying their depth and adaptability in a well-rounded team effort.
For the Pistons, inconsistency continues to plague a young roster. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff had hoped to build on their recent win over the Knicks, but his squad couldn’t sustain the momentum. Detroit has managed to post back-to-back victories only twice this season, a statistic emblematic of their struggles.
Third quarter
The turning point of the game came in the third quarter, where Boston outscored Detroit 34-24. This surge extended a 15-point halftime lead to a commanding 93-68 advantage entering the final period. From there, the Celtics maintained control, ensuring there was no path back for the Pistons.
Key statistics underscored the disparity between the two teams. While Boston lit it up from downtown, Detroit’s inability to hit from deep left them chasing the game. The Pistons’ inefficiency from the perimeter, coupled with Boston’s balanced scoring, made for a lopsided contest.
Looking ahead, the Pistons will aim to regroup as they host the Miami Heat on Monday. Meanwhile, the Celtics hit the road to take on the Washington Wizards on Sunday, hoping to build on this momentum and further solidify their position atop the Eastern Conference standings.
Boston’s performance highlighted their readiness to compete at a high level, even when short-handed. Pritchard’s standout night and the team’s ability to dominate in Tatum’s absence send a clear message: the Celtics are a deep and dangerous squad capable of adapting to any challenge.