How the Celtics, without Tatum, kept their spot among East elite

As Payton Pritchard spoke to reporters following Boston’s Jan. 9 win against the Toronto Raptors -- the Celtics’ 14th win in 18 games -- a simple question was lobbed his way inside TD Garden’s home locker room. Are you surprised at the way this season has played out? A smirk crossed the point guard’s face before the question was even finished, giving way to a rapid response. “I’m not surprised at all,” he said. To say Pritchard and Boston are in the minority is an understatement. The Celtics, who host the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) are 30-18 and tied for second place in the Eastern Conference. And more than halfway through the 2025-26 season, Boston ranks second in...