Celtics blowout Pistons in Motown 109-89

The Celtics picked up where they left off in Oklahoma City, lighting up the nets in the first quarter on 4-9 from three point territory. From the opening tip it appeared that things are finally starting to come together on both ends of the floor. The ball movement was terrific early, the Celtics swarming defensive pressure was solid and a good amount of team rebounding helped the team close the quarter 28-21.

Throughout the first half the Celtics looked to matchup physically against Blake Griffin who came into the game averaging 33 points a game and Celtics almost kept the former Clipper scoreless as he managed only 3 points on 1-9 shooting in the first half. Coach Brad Stevens pitted both Marcus Morris and Jaylen Brown against Griffin in this one and both players kept in front of his 250 pound, 6-10 frame very effectively. On the other end of the floor Jaylen Brown looked to shake off his early season offensive struggles in this one and came out strong with 14 first half points, including a trio of confidence boosting three pointers.

Despite being listed “questionable” before the game Daniel Theis proved to be back to his active self on both ends of the floor as the big German logged 14 points and 7 rebounds in a brilliant 12 minute stretch and finished the game with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Gordon Hayward was also solid in this game, and fans will be pleased with a nice up and under move that showed some of his explosiveness is returning.

Detroit was averaging 112.6 pts per game through the first 4 games of the season whilst Boston held a league best defensive rating of 96.6 to start the season, something had to give in this game and it was the Pistons who spluttered to only 89 points through 4 quarters.

The Celtics bench (BWA) was outstanding as they outscored the Pistons 62-34. Former Piston Marcus Morris (18 points 8 rebounds), had a great game on both ends of the floor whilst Robert Williams made a nice cameo in this game entering and immediately throwing down a massive lob dunk fed by Marcus Smart who finished the game with 9 assists.

Both teams have a few days off before squaring off once again in Boston at 7:30 EST on Tuesday 30th of October, just in time for Halloween.