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Payton Pritchard · Theoretically speaking, the Detroit Pistons and their fanbase might’ve believed December 12, 2024’s head-to-head to be slightly less difficult, given the news of the Boston Celtics’ six-time All-Star and 27-point scoring machine being sidelined. In slightly-cruel irony, though, the NBA’s defending champions merely turned to their bench at the first quarter’s four-minute mark, and introduced a talent capable of replacing every one of those much-needed buckets. Unguardable immediately upon approaching the fittingly-named “scorer’s table,” Payton Pritchard stirred up the dialogue of his Sixth Man of the Year candidacy with moves and maneuvers of every kind. Relishing the night’s increased opportunity, Pritchard’s thrilling end-of-night reel included behind-the-back stepback triples, patient, unselfish alley-oop lobs to cutting teammates, and even open floor Eurostep finishes, leaving one of the Eastern Conference’s up-and-coming teams all but overwhelmed. Unwilling to allow Boston to miss a beat, even without its near-decade-long heart-and-soul, Pritchard coordinated a 24-point win through a box score that read as follows: 27 points (on 10-of-20 shooting), four rebounds, 10 assists, seven 3-pointers, and a +22 plus-minus. · State of Mint