A 119-116 loss to the Pistons is the end result to an inconsistent effort tonight by the Boston Celtics. The defense that this young squad hangs it’s hat on struggled once again and fans are asking how much longer until Marcus Smart comes back..
We all know how important it is for teams to get a good start on the road, and Boston got just that tonight. Behind the scoring of Thomas and Johnson, and 4 rebounds from Sully, the Celts were up 25-18 after the first. Boston was sloppy at times however, with 6 early turnovers that Detroit turned into 5 points.
The Celtics looked abysmal to start off the second quarter. Reminiscent of last night’s debacle, Boston could not hit the broad side of a barn. Detroit got out to a quick 9-0 run, and it was 34-33 Pistons with 6:05 left in the half. Enter Isaiah Thomas. IT came off the bench and sparked an 11-0 Celtics run. Thomas tallied 9 points in just under 4 minutes and the Celts were back up 48-43 with about 2 minutes to go in the 2nd. Unfortunately, the Pistons punched back, and hard-Detroit put in 12 points, including a ridiculous Andre Drummond halfcourt heave in the final 2 minutes of the quarter for a grand total of 37 points. Only the Hawks (40 points on 11/24) have dropped more on Boston in a single quarter this season. The Celts were down 55-52 at the half. Budding star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was rather quiet in the 1st quarter, but with 10 second quarter points (2-2 from downtown) Brad Stevens’ squad would definitely need to keep their eye on him going forward.
Detroit rode the momentum of Drummond’s buzzer-beater right into the 3rd apparently, as the Pistons jumped out to a 72-61 lead with 6:10 left in the quarter. Boston was not getting back on defense and simply could not buy a basket for long stretches. It was around this time that Stevens resorted to hack-a-Drummond. After watching Andre brick a few, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy quickly subbed in Aron Baynes. Enter Tyler Zeller. Stevens put Zeller in for Sully and Tyler commenced to score 10 points and grab 4 boards, helping Boston cut Detroit’s lead to just two-it was 85-83 Pistons going into the final frame.
Some turnovers and (more) missed shots almost cost the Celts this one early in the 4th, as Detroit went up 101-90 with just under 6 minutes left. But Detroit could not pull away as old friend Jonas Jerebko hit three treys to keep hope alive for Boston. It was 109-105 Pistons with about 2 minutes left. But it just wasn’t enough as Detroit finished off the C’s with free-throws in the final minute. Oh and Caldwell-Pope? He was key in helping Detroit close things out and finished with a career-high 31 points.
The Green:
- IT tied his career-high with 38 points and went 11 of 11 from the FT line
- Zeller & Jerebko combined for 21 points in 26 minutes off the bench
The Gross:
- Celts gave up 37 2nd Q points
- C’s had 18 turnovers
- Kelly Olynyk put up a goose egg in 16 minutes of play
The Greenlights:
The Grid: (quick stats)
- Refs (and Brad Stevens) sent the Pistons to the FT line for 43 attempts
- Boston defense gave up 48% shooting from the floor and 53% from downtown
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