The Boston Celtics (15-17, 3rd in the Atlantic) welcome former Celtic Chauncey Billups and the rest of the World Champion Detroit Pistons (17-14, 2nd in the Central) into the Fleet for tonight's matchup. A couple of streaks are on the line as the Celtics have won the last 5 games in the Fleet and the Pistons have won their last 4 road contests. This is the second meeting in less than a week for the 2 teams, which met last Sunday in Detroit. The Pistons won that game, 100-88. Tony Allen was one of the few bright spots for the Celtics, notching a career-high 18 points. Gary Payton missed most of the second half after aggrevating a hamstring. The Celtics are inching closer and closer back to .500, having won 3 of their last 4 games. The managed to survive a last surge by the Warriors and hang on for a 84-83 win. Paul Piece led the way with 19 points and Al Jefferson added in a double double, going for 10 points and 11 rebounds. Detroit comes into tonight's game off a loss at Memphis last night, 101-79. Former UConn Huskie Rip Hamilton led the Pistons in scoring despite not recording a field goal by going 14-14 from the free throw line. <div align="center"><font color="DarkGreen">Celtic Keys to the Game</font></div> 1. <u>Commit to Running</u>. They're catching the Pistons on the second night of a back-to-back set and should use their fresher legs to their advantage. Fast break points will be a huge factor in this game. 2. <u>Match their Intensity</u>. While this is the second night of back-to-back games for the Pistons, they lost last night and will be looking to make up for that blunder. Larry Brown is one of the best coaches in the NBA, so look for his guys to be very motivated to put on a good show tonight. 3. <u>Go right at them</u>. Scoring over 33 points a game, the Celtics bench is one of the best in the league. The Pistons are near the bottom of the league in bench scoring. If the Celtics can get their starters in foul trouble early, its to their advantage. <div align="center"><font color="DarkGreen">Key Matchup of the Game</font></div> Richard Hamilton vs Jiri Welsch Coming off an abysmal shooting night (0-10 from the field) Hamilton will be looking to get his touch back tonight. Jiri has to stay with him through all the screens that the Pistons set for Hamilton and get a hand in his face. Jiri doesn't need to match him in points, but his defense on Hamilton is the key in this game for the Celtics. Prediction: The Celtics were embarassed last game out against the Detroit and I expect them to come out with fire and intensity, trying to keep the home winning steak alive. I think they pull it off, too: Celtics 98, Pistons 93.
man that Richard Hamilton is SOMETHING ELSE!! He makes EVERY big shot and makes it look easy. The celtics dont belong in the same building as this team. In the two games theyvve played youve seen every example of why the celtics are where they are and why the Pistons are world champions: talk about toughness and knowhow and leadership in key situations. That said, this was a really awesome game to whatch for about five minutes when the celtics went on that run to get within one in th 4th. EVery game for the celts seems to be pretty much the same story. They stay in it and show BRILLIANT flashes of potential along the way, and then the celtics lose
It was an amazing display down the stretch by the Pistons. I don't care what anybody says, that was a strong showing by Boston. Detroit hit clutch shot after clutch shot, and Boston failed to execute down the stretch. Did anyone else notice GP, when one of those refs tried to call a backcourt violation on Blount, after the ball was tipped away by a Detroit player? I'm surprised that ref didn't start running away. EDIT How could I forget? A Letter To Doc Rivers Dear Coach Rivers, It would certainly be fantastic if you could take a minute to teach some of your players how to actually keep control of the ball when they are trying to catch a rebound. Maybe you could inform them that they don't actually get credit for a rebound if they only have control of the ball for one second. It would also probably be a little bit better for the team if the other team gets a little bit less than 764 offensive rebounds per game. I know you like to preach ball movement, but I think your big men need a refreshment course. Tell them that their sneakers are not on the team, so that means they shouldn't be throwing outlet passes to them. Sincerly, All Celtics Fans.
I'm glad you guys were impressed by what you saw, I however wasn't. The Pistons gave up over 100 for the 2nd straight game and let the Celtics shoot over 47%. Another horrible defensive display. Something we wouldn't of seen last year. Offensive the Pistons can score but the defense is just as inconsistant as the offense.
