{"id":17029,"date":"2024-12-13T07:38:55","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T07:38:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=17029"},"modified":"2024-12-13T07:38:55","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T07:38:55","slug":"no-jayson-tatum-no-problem-for-the-celtics-as-payton-pritchard-steps-up-in-a-dominant-win-over-the-pistons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new365.azontree.com\/?p=17029","title":{"rendered":"No Jayson Tatum? No problem for the Celtics as Payton Pritchard steps up in a dominant win over the Pistons."},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Celtics
Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (right, No. 11) makes a 3-point basket over the Pistons’ Tobias Harris (left, No. 12) during the first quarter of Thursday night’s game at TD Garden. Pritchard finished with 27 points and 10 assists, both game highs.<\/span>Matthew J. Lee\/Globe Staff<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Celtics\u2019 team-first ethos helped carry them to an NBA championship last season and appears to have them well-positioned to win another. Before facing Boston on Thursday night, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the Celtics simply seem to care about winning more than anything, and that the team\u2019s stars are unafraid to make the simple but proper play time and again.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is what Joe Mazzulla has been seeking and preaching since taking over as coach in 2022, and the players have embraced this connected approach. But Mazzulla said it should not be confused with a lack of individual swagger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s important to know that we do have egos,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just put them in the right place. It\u2019s not that we shouldn\u2019t have them. We should have them, as long as they\u2019re put in the right place. So I think it\u2019s with the character of guys, and I think they have a trust and an understanding of what can lead to long-term success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Celtics basketball \ud83e\udee1 pic.twitter.com\/1YOIRXoYUM<\/a><\/p>\n

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 13, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n