This is also the NBA! A Detroit team, which remained on eight straight defeats, which brings down the best team of the moment, Boston, which remained on nine straight wins, including one of 48 points on the floor of Philly! A snatch success (112-111), acquired at TD Garden, against the Celtics who gave the impression of being on vacation.
The credit for this victory goes first and foremost to the Pistons. They never let go, like Jerami Grant took responsibility for scoring 11 of his 24 points in the 4th quarter.
Yet led by 8 points as “money time” approached, Detroit always believed in it, and that’s when Grant took the game on his own to make up for the delay. Al Horford, found in the corner, thought he had done the hardest part by restoring the advantage to his team 14 seconds from the end. But, on the action that follows, Grant with a magnificent drive puts Detroit back in position to win this match (112-111). Behind, Brown has the match point, but he is countered by Cade Cunningham then Tatum fails to score. The room is silent, and the Pistons create the feat of the evening.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Detroit didn’t give up. Facing the best team of the moment in the East, Grant’s teammates did not have cold feet. On the contrary, they showed solidarity and combativeness. Carried by the triumphant youth of its workforce (Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart) but also by more experienced players, the Pistons have proven that they are capable of great things when everyone puts themselves at the service of the collective. Three players with more than 20 points, desire, and even defense on the last possession.
– The absence of Marcus Smart. Victim of a big ankle sprain the day before, the Celtics point guard was not in uniform, and it was clearly seen. It’s really the soul of this team, and maybe it would have happened differently in the “money time” with him on the ground… Another notable absence, that of Robert Williams. Without this duo, it is the axis of defense that is disoriented.
– Boston did not respond. The day before, the Celtics had left nothing for the Sixers. This Wednesday, they never managed to outrun this Detroit team. Did they lack seriousness at times? Perhaps, but it is clear that this defeat was avoidable. The TD Center was on fire in the “money time”, and suddenly, the silence…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jerami Grant. It is the spearhead of this team. Highly requested at the time of the “trade deadline”, he showed his leadership qualities by taking matters into his own hands in the money time. By attacking the gaps and forcing Tatum to defend, he was key to the encounter. 24 points including a nice 4 of 6 from 3-pointers.
✅ Cade Cunningham. The Pistons rookie delivered a very good match, and he is the author of the action of the evening with this ultra clutch counter. Despite a bit of a waste, he made an effort to be present in other areas of play, such as rebounding and moving play on offense. At the end of the match, he does not hide and it is him who against Brown. A great defense and a fantastic attitude for the number 1 of the 2021 Draft.
⛔The Celtics bench. Authors of only 13 points, the substitutes lacked impact. Tonight, the starters played a lot and Ime Udoka shot them too much, in a “back-to-back”. Clearly, at the start of the 4th quarter, there was room to rotate and rest the stars.
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (34-26) : resumption next Thursday in Brooklyn, perhaps for the 1st of Ben Simmons.
Detroit (13-45) : reception next Thursday of the Cavaliers.
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