Three key scenarios
- Derrick White notches his first career triple-double
- Payton Pritchard enjoying playing time
- No rust for Kristaps Porzingis
The Boston Celtics defeated the Detroit Pistons for their sixth straight victory Monday night at TD Garden.
They maintained the streak despite the absence of Jayson Tatum (right ankle impingement), Jrue Holiday (right shoulder contusion), Al Horford (left big toe sprain) and Sam Hauser (left ankle sprain). . Luke Kornet and Payton Pritchard started in place of Tatum and Holiday.
Although shorthanded, Boston returned Kristaps Porzingis to the lineup after a five-game absence. Jaylen Brown also returned after missing Sunday’s win against the Washington Wizards.
After a hotly contested first quarter, the Celtics took a 13-point lead at halftime and put it on cruise control. They led by as many as 29 points in their 119-94 victory to improve to their league-best record, 10-2, on the second night of a back-to-back this season. They have led by 20 or more points in 13 of their last 15 games.
Brown dropped a game-high 31 points and Pritchard wasn’t far behind with 23 points. Derrick White and Porzingis added 22 and 20, respectively.
For the Pistons, it was Jaden Ivey (21 points) who did the most damage.
The Celtics (54-14) will host the second-place Milwaukee Bucks (44-24) in a showpiece game Wednesday night. First, here are three takeaways from Monday’s game.
Derrick White notches his first triple-double
It was only a matter of time before Derrick White recorded his first career triple-double. The versatile C guard has done a little bit of everything to help Boston win throughout his two and a half years with the team.
White almost accomplished the feat in the first half of Monday’s match. He recorded 17 points, seven assists and seven rebounds while shooting 5 of 10 from 3-point range in the first two quarters. He made more 3s than the entire Pistons team (4) in the first half.
White slowed down in the second half, but he eventually got his first triple-double with 22 points (8-20 FG, 6-12 3-PT), 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He also had two steals and a block.
This is likely the first of several triple-doubles for White, who excels as a scorer, playmaker and defender. Next on his checklist is a championship banner, followed by his first All-Star nod.
Payton Pritchard enjoying playing time
Pritchard made it clear last season that he wanted an expanded role. For a while, it looked like he might be traded to create a bigger opportunity for him elsewhere.
Fortunately for the Celtics, Pritchard stayed and settled into his role as a difference maker off the bench. On Monday, however, he showed what he could do in a starting role.
Pritchard scored 23 points while shooting 5 of 9 from deep (8-14 FG). The 26-year-old also showed off his playmaking ability for the second night in a row, dishing out seven assists after collecting 13 against Washington.
Whenever he was called upon, Pritchard rose to the occasion. This bodes well for the Oregon product as head coach Joe Mazzulla considers how to best utilize him come playoff time.
No rust for Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis returned to the Celtics’ starting lineup after missing the last five games with a right hamstring strain. The Latvian big man didn’t miss a beat, scoring eight of Boston’s first 12 points. He made a pair of 3-pointers and also recorded five rebounds in the opening period.
Porzingis jumped on the exercise bike and missed the entire second quarter. It wasn’t a cause for concern as he came back in the second half and picked up where he left off.
“The Unicorn” ended up with 20 points (7-14 FG, 5-9 3-PT), eight rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal in 21 minutes. He looked fully healthy, which is great news ahead of Wednesday’s must-win game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
