The meeting took a few minutes to really get going. No doubt the many days without playing explain this somewhat slow start, made of clumsiness. Then, the Celtics machine gets going while the Pistons suffer at 3-points, not scoring any winning baskets in the first quarter (27-16). However, the Detroit players are not far away, Cade Cunningham being particularly present at mid-distance. But they finally cracked, just before the break, in front of 3-point shots from Derrick White and Payton Pritchard (59-44).
And it continues after returning from the locker room. The Celtics' winning shots fall in and we logically arrive at a twenty-point difference. In addition, Cade Cunningham is starting to miss shots near the rim. His teammates too, facing the defense of Kristaps Porzingis. The Pistons remain focused, don't give up but Boston has a comfortable lead (93-68). The last quarter only confirmed the trend, with Payton Pritchard adding points to his statistics sheet. The reigning champions thus very logically won 123-99.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– The Celtic machine took a little time to heat up. After four days of rest, Jaylen Brown and company were a little rusty. The first few minutes were sluggish on the Boston side – and in Detroit too – but after a few moments to get up to speed, things turn around. And it turns out fast. The Celtics scored 20 3-point baskets (42% success rate), including 14 for the Derrick White – Payton Pritchard duo. Everything wasn't perfect, but it was going way too fast for the Pistons.
– The Pistons played correctly until the end. It seems like the least you can do, but the Wizards don't always do it, for example. Faced with the winning baskets of the reigning champions, JB Bickerstaff's troops took on a shine. However, they continued to play seriously, to make efforts in defense. Certainly overwhelmed by the circulation of the ball and the success in front, but at least concentrated and diligent not to give up even though the match had been lost since the middle of the third quarter.
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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.
