Until the end, the Pistons believed in it… As they moved onto the court of the NBA leaders, in a clash of extremes, Monty Williams' players delivered one of their best matches of the season, to the point of leading by 21 points against the Celtics! But the experience and talent of Jayson Tatum's teammates, combined with the excitement of the Pistons, will turn the match around, and the leaders of the Eastern Conference win 128-122 after overtime!
Dressed all in black, the Pistons had nevertheless achieved a dream first half. With Jaden Ivey hitting from afar, and Jalen Duren crushing a tap, Cade Cunningham finally gets some support, and Detroit gets off to the ideal start. There is movement and aggression, and the Celtics, deprived of Jaylen Brown, are overwhelmed (30-27).
They are even more so when Ausar Thompson launches a 10-0, with James Wiseman finishing for a big two-handed dunk (50-37). The gap widens and Cunningham confirms that he has crazy talent. He took the match into his own hands, and the gap reached 21 points (66-45). The TD Garden is silent!
And then, after the break, the Celtics get angry. It's Kristaps Porzingis who is unleashed, and Detroit is taking on water everywhere. An express 19-5 allows them to get back on track (77-76). Tatum gets level with the Latvian, and the Celtics equalize (82-82). Everything has to be done again for the Pistons…
Derrick White, the X factor
The 4th quarter was superb, and the Pistons held on and even regained control thanks to Bojan Bogdanovic (99-96). Except that the Celtics responded with a 10-1 to lead 106-100 with two minutes remaining. We think it's over, but Jaden Ivey equalizes, then Bogdanovic sends everyone into overtime with a tap.
Undefeated in their home arena this season, the Celtics still have something under their belt, and it's Derrick White who will knock out the Pistons' hopes. The Boston rear flies over overtime. First with this drive with the fault, then this 3-pointer in the axis. This time, Detroit lowered its arms, and lost 128-122. This is the 28th defeat in a row, while the Celtics win for the 15th time in 15 home matches!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Another record… With 28 consecutive defeats, the Pistons “improve” the record for consecutive defeats in a season, and equal that of the 2015 Sixers established over two seasons. Cunningham and his teammates now own both records.
– What place in US sport? Over a single season, the Pistons are the “suckiest” franchise in the history of American sports. On the other hand, spanning several seasons, all sports combined, the Cardinals (NFL) have done worse with 29 defeats in a row. It was between 1942 and 1945. The Pistons can equal this record in the next game, against the Raptors.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
