In a game they pretty much controlled for about 3 quarters, the Celtics wilted badly in the final 12 minutes and lost to the Pistons, 99-94.
The Celtics started fast by attacking the paint and beating Andre Drummond with slick interior passing. Their shooting slowly deteriorated from there but, even after shooting 8-28 FG in the 3rd quarter, they led by 9 going into the 4th quarter.
The 4th quarter was a giant pile of suck. The offense was awful. Isaiah Thomas (22 points, 6-20 FG) was the only Celtic to score over the final 8+ minutes. Unfortunately, his 4 missed FTs in the quarter were a major factor in the loss.
This team is quickly morphing from ‘likeable’ to ‘frustrating’ and I’m not sure that’s going to change unless Danny Ainge bolsters this offense.
The Green
Amir Johnson (16 points, 11 rebounds) played his best game in green. As Tommy pointed out in the post game, he benefited big time from the Celtics interior passing.
Assisted by foul trouble, the Celtics held Drummond to 13 points and 5 rebounds.
The Gross
Marcus Smart scored 2 points on 1-10 FG. The rest of the Celtics bench wasn’t much better (9 points, 4-13 FG).
Kelly Olynyk scored 10 points in the 1st quarter. He didn’t score the rest of the game.
Sully attempts ‘the Rondo’ and gets called for the charge
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Greenlights
IT drives and dumps to Amir.
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Amir Johnson swoops in for the block
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KO drains the 3 to beat the 1Q buzzer
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The Grid
- At one point in the first quarter, the Celtics were 3-6 from 3. They finished the game 3-22.
- After scoring 66 thru 3 quarters, Detroit scored 33 in the 4th
- The Celtics have lost 3 straight at home and now sit under .500 (9-10) at the Garden
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