Celtics Cruise Past Pistons 123-99, Led by Payton Pritchard

Jaylen Brown's prediction that Payton Pritchard could lead the Celtics to victory against teams like Detroit has become a reality. After a 19-point performance last week, Pritchard exploded for 27 points, 10 assists, and seven threes in Boston Celtics' dominant 123-99 win.

Both teams struggled offensively early, with the Celtics shooting 42.3% and the Pistons managing just 29.6%. Luke Kornet provided a spark off the bench for Boston, while the Pistons struggled to find their rhythm from beyond the arc, missing all 12 three-point attempts.

The Celtics' defense, particularly their rim protection, improved with Kristaps Porzingis' return. They limited Detroit's three-point attempts and forced them to take lower-percentage shots.
Payton Pritchard led Boston's offensive charge, knocking down five three-pointers. The Celtics' bench, including Jordan Walsh and Luke Kornet, made significant contributions, helping Boston build a double-digit lead.

Detroit struggled to keep pace, as Cade Cunningham's early turnovers and the team's poor shooting from three-point range hindered their efforts. The Celtics continued to dominate in the second half, with Porzingis and White leading the way. Boston's strong defensive performance and efficient offense allowed them to cruise to a comfortable victory.

Pritchard's contributions have been instrumental throughout the season, proving Brown's initial statement to be an understatement.