Hamilton Helps Pistons Rip The Celtics 103-97 Series Tied At 1-1

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS

The greatest advantage that the Boston Celtics had in the 2008 NBA Post Season, is now a thing of the past for this series. Richard Hamilton led the Detroit Pistons with 25 points, all five Pistons starters scored in double figures, and a big night off the bench from rookie Rodney Stuckey gave Detroit a 103-97 victory Thursday night over the Celtics. The win for Detroit was the first time in the Playoffs a team beat Boston at home, the Celtics have yet to win a game on the road. It also evens the Eastern Conference Finals series at 1-1, with game three to be played in Detroit.

The “Green Team” had the lead at the end of the first quarter by a slim 20-18 margin. But the Pistons came alive in the second quarter, as Boston would trail Detroit 50-43 at the end of the half. Boston tied the game early in the third quarter, and even led at 58-54 as Ray Allen hit a short outside jumper with 7:26 left in the period. But the good fortune soon vanished and the Pistons were ahead 78-69, heading into the final 12 minutes of play. The Celtics never got closer than being three points down in the fourth.

Hamilton scored 25 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks in the Detroit victory. Chauncey Billups who had a tough night in game one, turned it around in game two, as he scored 19 points, 7 assists, 1 steal, Antonio McDyess scored 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, Tayshaun Prince scored 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block. Rasheed Wallace recorded a double-double with 13 points, 10 boards, 2 assists, Rodney Stuckey also scored 13 points, 3 assists, 2 steals.

Paul Pierce led all scorers with 26 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 block. Ray Allen finally pulled out of his Post Season scoring slump as he scored 25 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 rebounds, Kevin Garnett recorded a double-double as he scored 24 points, grabbed 13 boards, 2 blocks, 1 assist. Rajon Rondo scored 10 points,?9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals. Boston in order to advance?must now win a game on the road, “Home Court Supremacy” is now a thing of the past.

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