Celts blow Pistons off floor with hail of triples

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) celebrates with Derrick White, left, after hitting a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 , in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON—Payton Pritchard scored 27 points, and the Celtics used a big second half to post their 20th victory and roll past the Detroit Pistons, 123-99, on Thursday night.

Pritchard finished with seven three-pointers to continue to build his early case for Sixth Man of the Year honors. Derrick White added 23 points and also had seven threes to help the Celtics win for the fourth time in five games. Pritchard made his 500th career triple to become the 10th Celtic to reach that mark.

Boston connected on 20 triples for the night and led by as many as 32 points in the fourth quarter. Six Celtics reached double figures.

Cade Cunningham had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Pistons.

Tatum absent

Boston played without All-Star Jayson Tatum, who rested with a sore right knee. Sam Hauser also sat out with a strained abdominal muscle. Coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum’s knee issue isn’t serious.

Meanwhile, as Detroit coach JB Bickerstaff hoped for his team would carry over the momentum from its previous win over the Knicks, consistency remains elusive for a young team that has only posted back-to-back victories twice this season. —AP