Jan

31

Celtics Stage A Palace Coup Shut Down Pistons 86-78

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Game Recap 

The Boston Celtics traveled to the Palace of Auburn Hills Friday night, to face the team they played in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals the Detroit Pistons. However the team that took the hardwood in the home uniforms barely resembled the 2007-2008 edition, and Boston shut down the Pistons 86-78. The victory was the tenth straight for the Celtics who have regained the best record in the Association. For the Pistons it was yet another starting lineup with disappointing results as Detroit has gone 3-7 in their last 10 games. 

The lineup “du-jour” that Pistons head coach Michael Curry put on the floor to take on the defending NBA Champions  was yet another tweaking that really went nowhere as a unit. This time it was bye-bye Kwame Brown hello Amir Johnson (Brown actually had a couple of pretty good games at the beginning of the season for Detroit, much to the surprise of most NBA observers. However, it was as if one day he realized that he may now play for the Detroit Pistons, but he was still Kwame Brown. He has been ineffective as a starter ever since, and most nights he does not start he gets a DNP as he did on Friday.) Brown had 0 points in 5 minutes in his last start, Johnson was not much better as he scored 2 points, and also played just 5 minutes.

The Celtics were not that sharp in the first but the Pistons appeared to be in a fog, resulting in Boston having a 23-16 lead at the end of the quarter. Detroit did find their offense in the second quarter, and the Celtics lead was down to just 2 points at the half as the score was 43-41. Neither team was having much success in the third, but Boston would lead by 6 points as Paul Pierce drove the lane putting the ball up and in with 1 second in the quarter, and giving his team a 62-56 advantage. Detroit threatened one last time in the fourth as Richard Hamilton connected on a mid-range jumper with 5:41 in the game cutting the Celtics lead to 71-67.  Kevin Garnett would make it a 78-67 contest with 3:59 to go when he drained an outside shot. The Pistons were never able to regain their footing.

Kevin Garnett led all players with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal, in the Boston victory. Paul Pierce scored 20 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Ray Allen added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Rodney Stuckey had 19 points, 4 assists, and 3 rebounds, while Allen Iverson added 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. Richard Hamilton came off the bench with 14 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds, while Rasheed Wallace scored 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. Boston now has the best record in the NBA as they are 39-9, they will host the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday at noon. Detroit is now at 25-20 they host Central Division leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday afternoon.

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