BOSTON — Payton Pritchard scored 26 points after signing a four-year, $30 million contract extension, and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-106 in the preseason opener for both teams.
Pritchard shot 9 for 14, including 6 for 11 on 3-pointers, and had four assists in 23 minutes for the Celtics.
ESPN first reported Pritchard’s extension, and the Celtics’ guard said after the game he has signed the deal.
“When I signed it, it was almost like a relief, a feeling of being secure,” Pritchard said according to AP. “That was kind of my mindset toward it. I wanted to lock something in.”
Jaylen Brown scored 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting, Kristaps Porzingis scored 17 and Jayson Tatum had 13 points and 10 rebounds for Boston.
Tyrese Maxey finished with 24 points and four assists to lead the 76ers. Jaden Springer had 14 points, Tobias Harris added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Patrick Beverley scored 12.
Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid did not play for Philadelphia, and neither did James Harden – who has been seeking a trade.
BUCKS 105, BULLS 102
Marjon Beauchamp finished with 18 points and eight rebounds to lead host Milwaukee Bucks in the teams’ preseason opener.
Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out for the Bucks, but his older brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo totaled 14 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes.
Malik Beasley scored 13 points and Brook Lopez scored 11 points in 12 minutes for the Bucks.
Coby White had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists to pace the Chicago Bulls, playing a team-high 23 minutes. Patrick Williams scored 13 points for the Bulls, who used all 20 of their available players. Only guard Lonzo Ball, who will miss the season with knee issues, didn’t play.
SUNS 130, PISTONS 126
Detroit Pistons coach Monty Williams’ new team fell to his old team, after Phoenix Suns wasted a 20-point lead entering the fourth quarter but won in overtime.
Ausar Thompson, the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, hit a 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds left in regulation as the Pistons outscored the Suns 38-18 in the final quarter to force OT tied at 122.
Kevin Durant scored 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter as Phoenix jumped out to a 46-29 lead.
Grayson Allen made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points to lead the Suns. Chimezie Metu had 14 points, while Devin Booker scored 12 in 15 minutes. Bradley Beal and Saben Lee added 11 points apiece, while Yuta Watanabe scored 10.
Marvin Bagley III led Detroit with 25 points. Thompson had 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Jaden Ivey scored 15 and Cade Cunningham added 12 points and six assists.
Williams was fired by the Suns after last season. He accepted a six-year contract from the Pistons.
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