In the first two rounds we always had control of the series because we were either tied or ahead and even when we were tied, we had home court advantage to fall back on. This is the first time, we aren't really in control. The series is tied but the Pistons have stolen the home court. The good thing is that the Pistons are definitely beatable at home. They are 1-4 in their last 5 game threes. They lost game 1 in Detroit to the Sixers in the first round. They also lost game 3 to them. So, they are beatable. It will be up to the Celtics to play their game and be aggressive on defense to pull it off. They are fully capable of doing it but they can't let the Pistons' defense take them out of their game offensively and they must play the tough defense that won them 66 games in the regular season. An effort like they gave in game 2 isn't going to do it.
In spite of the loss in game 2, there was reason to be optimistic. Ray Allen finally broke out of his shooting slump. I was so excited when that first jumper finally went in and then he started hitting everything. You could just see the confidence surging back into him as he hit that first shot. The Celtics will need his scoring and so hopefully he can pick up where he left off in game 2 with his shots falling.
It is amazing to read all the stories that have already written off the Celtics after their first loss at home. They are 9-1 at home and that is pretty good. The Pistonsl lost their first game at home and they weren't doubted like this. Maybe it is because the Celtics haven't proved that they can win on the road while the Pistons have. The Celtics have never HAD to win on the road though and now they do. It will tell a lot about this team to see how they handle adversity and how they will play on the road now that they must win a game in Detroit.
It is very bizarre that Chauncey Billups could barely walk and was stumbling on the court in the first game, leading everyone to believe that his hamstring was still bothering him. But he had a miraculous healing between game 1 and game 2 as he showed absolutely no sign of any problems with his hamstring and ran just fine in game 2. I think he was playing possum to give the Celtics a false sense of security. It worked, too.
The Celtics bench cost them game 2. Pierce, KG and Ray played as well as they could. Perk and Rondo had decent games. But the bench had only 8 points. House and Big Baby did virtually nothing. Powe and Posey did little more. Tony Allen looked totally lost. PJ Brown was the only sub who played reasonably well and he had 4 of the 8 bench points. The Bench players must come to play and given the team more effort than they did in game 2. The Big Three can't do it by themselves.
I was watching some highlights from the 1987 Celtics-Pistons series this morning and of course there is "the steal by Bird, underneath to DJ" play but another really stood out. I remember seeing them do this a couple of times and it always amazed me. Bird was under the basket surrounded by Pistons. DJ had the ball at the top of the key. DJ then passed the ball off the backboard right into Larry's hands for a layup. I had forgotten about that play and that brought back some very good memories. What amazing chemistry between those two players.
When I think back to the Celtics losses on the road in the first two series, most of them were lost by the Celtics and not won by the opponent. The Celtics didn't play their game in any of them. In fact, in the loss in game 2 in this series, the Celtics lost it rather than the Pistons winning it. The Celtics lost their focus and didn't play defense. This series is in the Celtics hands and is going go come down to their focus and intensity. If they play their game with the defense that got them here and stay focused and not let the Pistons defense take them out of their game on offense, the Celtics will win this. The Celtics need to keep their focus and intensity on both ends of the court and they will get a win in Detroit, regardless of what the Pistons do.
Here are comments found around the Pistons board during their game 2 with the Celtics. These are definitely more fun to read when we win but still some interesting comments. I am always amazed at fans who wish an injury on a player. My favorite was where one comments sends a note to the Pistons that Ray won't shoot the jumper... just before he catches fire. We are going to need Ray the rest of the way, especially to win on the road. It was good to see him get going, although the Pistons' fans weren't too heppy with it.
This is a must win game!
We got them thinking theyre on top of the world. They spent their reserve energy last game. I think it'll catch up to them tonight. Its ours
I want to see kg cry, and not in a happy way.
It's not like Boston going to run away from us in the games, they always let teams hang around, but I hope we figure this out because if I see 3 more loses like Game 1, I'm going to be really annoyed that we still don't have a slasher in the starting lineup.
Yeah, watching Pierce made me retch. Everytime he had the ball I knew exactly what he was going to do. Drive the lane and drop it in, if someone get's in his way, kick the ball out to whoever the guy in his way was guarding and let them take an uncontested shot.
Clearly not calling fouls.
I think it's critical we keep Ray Allen in his slump for at least one more game. He'll have a much harder time breaking out of it at the Palace...It's clearly a psychological thing, if the Pistons keep him in his funk tonight, then he'll continue to shoot poorly in games 3 and 4.
We're not winning this game, I don't care how close the score is. Their defense on us is way better than ours on theirs.
Surely the Pistons are aware of Rondo and his stealing ability.
For someone who talks a load of **** Rasheed Wallace is shellshocked. He's nowhere near the player that Garnett is at this point in his career.
I'm sitting here with my dad. I told him that with Powe in they'll get every rebound.
OK, this is what we do... Somebody call somebody that they know who can call someone who's at the game in Boston to throw a paper airplane at Flip's head so he can open it and read..."DOUBLE D ON PIERCE SOON AS HE GETS THE BALL!"
I hate how we steal the ball and then Rondo steals it right back... Must have happened around 5 tmies in game 1
RONDO IS A BALLHAWK
Rondo is outrebounding the Pistons.
Rondo is a monster on the boards.
Rondo has 7 boards, the Pistons have 9 ... Yuk.
Man Garnett's jumper is impossible to defend, you just hope he misses
Man, KG is just too good. Incredible post moves, hitting that fallaway bank shot with Dice playing great defense on him.
I'll bet the Boston fans are going to be yelling Bull---- on these next free throws. I don't remember any other road game where the fans are such homers and can't see the call against their team
Tony Allen missing both free throws at home? Probably him not getting any burn in the first game and all of a sudden getting thrown in the fire. Another questionable move by Doc, just like when Rivers put him on Billups and Billups faked him out for the winning free throws in that regular season game back in December.
Refs are calling them okay now
Boston looks tired. It's only a matter of time before the combination of not using their bench, and playing two game 7s catches up with them.
I want to see some hard fouls on KG and Pierce in the 2nd half we need to get in their heads, and make them think before they come into the paint.
I can't wait to go back to the Palace. I hate when we play at the Garden.
Rondo is the third best player on the Celtics.
They got lucky with that foul on Ray; he was about to pick off another outlet pass.
Is it just me or does Boston get every call with a pinky is laid on them? While a shoulder of KG goes into Chauncey and he gets nothing...
Stuckey>>>>Rondo
Gotta love Breen. Goes crazy on that dunk by Ray yet when Tayshaun had that high flying baseline jam earlier he said in a completely normal voice, "And Tayshaun Prince with the easy two."
I gotta say Sheed sending that ugly punk Rondo in the basket support warmed my heart. THAT is Pistons basketball!
Garnett's not working hard enough on D. Sheed HAS TO start posting him up.
Rondo is looking like a complete idiot right now.
How does Pierce hit those dang off-balance shots? Injure him!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NOTE TO PISTONS....... Ray Allen is NOT GOING TO TAKE A JUMPSHOT !!!
Awww He&& someone woke Ray Ray up!!
Lucky KG goaltended, that was not even close
Nothing better than shutting up them bandwagon Boston fans.
Other than terrible rebounding in the first half this was a great win. Of course, the Pistons owe it all to the refs...
HOME COURT BELONGS TO US!
So when we come back, up 3-1 and try and steal game 5, or do we rest up and wrap up in game 6?
Now tired Boston comes to OUR house without winning a game on the road in the playoffs.
Ray Allen had 25 points in under 30 minutes. Those fouls prevented a potentially fatal performance.
The first quarter was one of runs. The Celtics came out strong and got off to a 10-4 lead in the first 5 minutes. The Pistons came back to tie it at 14 with 2:20. They traded baskets and the quarter ended with the Celtics up 20-18. Doc started the 2nd quarter with Powe, PJ, House, Pierce and Posey. Leon already had 2 rebounds in just 2 minutes of play but for some reason, Doc sat him in favor of Big Baby who played 6 minutes with only 1 point to show for it. Doc played Tony Allen almost 5 minutes but he looked rusty and finished with just 1 foul.
The game was tied at 27 before the Pistons went on a run to close out the quarter up 50-43. The Celtics shot 47% in the first quarter while holding the Pistons to 38% but by the half that was reversed. At the half, the Pistons were shooting 52% and the Celtics were shooting 39%. The Celtics were beating the Pistons on the boards 22-12 and the free throws were even at 17. But, the Celtics turned the ball over 5 more times than the Pistons.
The Celtics came out strong to start the third quarter and quickly cut into the lead. Ray Allen got it going finally as he got a layup on the first play of the second half and then he got a steal and pulled up for a jumper to cut the lead to 2 with 8:45 left in the third. They tied the game at 54 and then traded baskets until the Celtics allowed the Pistons to go on a 12-2 run to put the Pistons up for good. The Pistons led by as many as 11 points in the 4th quarter. The Celtics cut it to 100-97 on a Ray Allen 3 points with 10.7 seconds left but they couldn't get over the hump and the final score was 103-97.
Ray played only 29 minutes as he was in foul trouble for much of the game but he finally snapped out of his slump in the second half and finished with 25 points on 9-16 shooting to go with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Chauncey Billups was playing possum in game 1 as there were a lot of questions as to whether he was still hurting from the hamstring injury but he came out tonight and was aggressive from the beginning and he finished with 19 points and 7 assists and showed no signs of the injury that seemed to hamper him in game 1. Rondo passed up open jumpers all game and that allowed the Pistons to double off of him on Pierce and Garnett. On one possession he even passed up a wide open shot that resulted in a 24 second violation. He was a monster on the boards, however and finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals.
KG once again had a strong game with 24 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. Perk had 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 30 minutes and played some good defense inside. Pierce continued his strong play with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 block. The bench came up short tonight as they scored only 9 points compared to 17 for the Pistons' bench. The Celtics have to get more from their bench if the Celtics are to win this series. Doc played Eddie House at the back up point, but his shot wasn't there and he went scoreless in 7 minutes. PJ Brown once again gave the Celtics a boost with 2 big jumpers to go with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
Both teams shot 49% for the game. The Celtics won the battle of the boards 39-31. The Pistons shot 32 free throws to 25 for the Celtics and the Celtics turned the ball over 12 times to 9 for the Pistons. The Pistons picked up their defense and the Celtics struggled to get their offense going against it. On the other hand, the Celtics had big lapses in their defense and allowed way too many easy baskets. The Celtics walked the ball up the court and didn't pass the ball like they did in game 1. The Celtics must now do something they haven't been able to do in either of the first 2 series. They have to win on the road. They will have to get a better effort from their bench and they will have to tighten up their defense if they expect to win in Detroit. It's time for the Celtics to play a little possum and come out when the Pistons don't expect it and steal game 3 to regain their home court advantage.
First, I am still amazed as how much the officiating can affect a game. With the Donaghy scandal rearing it's ugly head again, it would seem that David Stern would be putting the fear of God into his refs to call games fairly. For some reason, the Celtics just can't get the calls. In the first two series, the Celtics shot 295 free throws while their opponents shot 416. I know some will say it is because the Celtics don't go to the hoop as much. But the Celtics do drive to the hoop and we do have players in the paint and they aren't getting the calls. Just look at game 1 against the Pistons. The Celtics had 44 points in the paint compared to 22 for the Pistons. So, the Celtics pretty much spent the whole game in the paint while the Pistons were the ones settling for jumpers. So, the Celtics should have had more free throws, especially with the physical play of the Pistons on defense. The Pistons shot 6 more free throws than the Celtics. I just don't understand it unless the refs have an agenda and are making big bucks by covering the spread or affecting the game. And, you still can't question the officiating unless you want to get a fine or suspension from Little Napoleon, aka David Stern. Even Peter Vescey questioned this on NBA TV this morning. All I know is that something isn't right here.
The Celtics better not have a false sense of security after beating the Pistons in game 1. The Pistons are a cocky and arrogant group who play haphazardly at times and then turn it on when they feel like it. They lost the first game at home to the Sixers and then they lost the first game in Philly but then they turned it on and won the next three games to win the series. They look almost disinterested at times and then when they feel like playing, they just turn it on. I really hate this Pistons team for that kind of arrogance. The Pistons feel they need to steal this game in Boston and will come out much more focused and the Celtics need to be ready for that. The national media are still picking the Pistons to win this series in spite of the Celtics game 1 win because they know that the Pistons are capable of turning it on and taking over a series. Hopefully the Celtics will be ready for when they do.
Last night's game between the Lakers and the Spurs was amazing. The Spurs seemed to be in charge and were up 20 points with 5 minutes to go in the third quarter. It seemed they had the game in hand and then they stopped playing. They couldn't hit a shot and couldn't get a stop. The Lakers ended up winning the game. The teams that are left are here for a reason. They are the best 4 teams in the NBA and you can't sleep on any of them. No lead, even a 20 point lead is safe. The Spurs let up and the Lakers took advantage. The Pistons are capable of doing the same thing and so the Celtics need to play 48 minutes even if they have a big lead. No letting up.
I really wish TNT was covering the ECF instead of ESPN. I like Ernie, Charles and Kenny, even though Charles isn't a Celtics fan and is usually against them. But, their coverage seems to be more lively than the ESPN coverage.
The lottery has become a joke. The teams that need the first pick the most rarely get it whether it is rigged or just flawed is a big question. I know they went to this system to try to keep teams from tanking for the top pick, but it isn't working. When a team with the 9th worst record gets the top pick and the teams that are the worst and needing that pick 3rd, 4th, or 5th is ludicrous. This system needs fixed. It is fatally flawed. Go back to the old system of the worst team picks first. So teams tank, but it isn't like they aren't doing it now anyway.
I feel so bad for Ray Allen. He is one of the classiest guys in the league and one of the best scorers in the history of the league and his struggles lately are painful to watch. His airball in game 1 was bad, but the fact that he hesitated to take shots after that was so hard to watch. The slump is getting into his head now and he is questioning his shot. But, to his credit, he did so many other things to help the team in the first game. He took charges, drove to the hoop, and played great defense. If the slump is mental and not caused by an injury that we don't know about, I believe that Ray will snap out of it and start hitting his shots. We really need his outside shooting so hopefully he snaps out of it soon.
Eddie House has been big for the Celtics in the last two games since Doc finally remembered who he was. He has been making the energy plays and hitting big shots. In spite of Sam telling everyone he is rested and ready, I really hope that Doc keeps using Eddie. This rotation is the one that got us here and Eddie runs the offense much better than Sam and that is the biggest factor. I think that some of the Celtics struggles early was that Doc changed the rotation and Sam was disrupting the team's rhythm that they had in the regular season. On the other hand, PJ Brown has been huge for the Celtics in the playoffs. Since he isn't responsible for running the offense, he hasn't disrupted chemistry the way Sam has and he is playing some excellent ball for the Celtics.
Chauncey Billups looked like he was really hampered by the hamstring injury that sidelined him for the last two games of the Orlando series, which they won anyway. He was then off for a week after missing those two games. How much of his poor performance was rust and how much was the injury? It is hard to tell, but I don't put it past him to make it seem like he is injured when he really isn't to try to lull Rondo into a false sense of security. I hope Rondo isn't buying it and will stay ready for a big game by Billups.
The Pistons are going to make adjustments and here is where the coaching comes in. Doc will need to be ready for those adjustments and make some of his own to counter. Pierce and KG will need to both be aggressive. The Celtics need to continue to crash the boards as the team that wins the rebounding battle wins the game. They need to keep taking it to the hoop whether they are getting the calls or not. And Pierce and Garnett need to continue to be aggressive on offense. Rondo needs to be aggressive on both ends of the court and make Billups work for anything he gets. Hopefully the Celtics continue to dominate at home because having to win on the road is a scary thought right now.
The "There Can Be Only One" commercials by the NBA is a great marketing campaign. Even the political race has stolen it. They have retired the LeBron/KG ad and now we see KG and Chauncey. I caught one with Ray Allen but only saw it once and maybe they are waiting for Ray to come out of his slump to play it more. I leave you with the new one with KG and Chanucey.
Here are comments found around the Pistons boards during their game 1 with the Celtics. I love the props that Rondo is getting. I am always amazed when fans call for a player to be injured. The Pistons got all the calls early as they had 10 more free throws at the half, but the Celtics got more calls late and it kind of evened out. The Pistons did shoot more free throws for the game though so the Pistons fans really can't cry too much.
Paul Pierce drops 41 in Game 7? Some may call it a fluke I say it's a clear case of Performance Enhancing Drugs
This is our best chance to steal a road game methinks. Id love to grab a quick lead and prove that they arent unstoppable at home.
I think the Pistons MUST get an early lead and MAINTAIN that intensity. I've noticed that the Celtics always seem to play much more freely and loose at home when they get those early leads. It's rare for the Celtics to NOT get at least an early 10 pt cushion at home. I want to make them feel some pressure early. Give them no room for error and make them pay for every mistake.
Think that game 1 will be VITAL for the Pistons to get inside the Celtic's heads. GOTTA GET GAME 1
I don't like the Celtics
Good luck from a Jazz fan. I love the way you guys play, and I really hope you whoop Boston. I'm tired of all the damn hype.
What exactly gives the Pistons the idea they can leave KG open out in mid range?
Do they think he's Howard?What exactly gives the Pistons the idea they can leave KG open out in mid range? Do they think he's Howard?
Excellent coaching by Doc, as soon as Sheed goes to the bench he attacks our NCAA sized front court
Paul Pierce has some great footwork.
Theyre already in the Penalty? Damn, that's nice
Seems like the Pistons are getting the home town calls. I won't complain though
Are they saying "bull ****"? The fans? They may have a point
Boston has the tackiest fans in the East.
Pierce gets more punk calls than ANYone.
But the Pistons stop him... They stop the Celtics.
That block was clean. Lucky us
Lol at the crowd cheering when Ray hit the 3 after the play was over. Mass sarcasm is beautiful.
Pierce and Ray Allen giving us some freebies with missed free throws. I think Sheed said "Ball Don't Lie" at least 3 times.
Sheed needs to learn he's a role model to some young kids out there. Therefore, he needs to provide a better example by improving his grammar. "Ball don't lie!" sets a poor example. He should be saying, "The ball does not fib, sirrahs!" THAT would be a grammatically correct way to communicate his displeasure, and come off as a proper role model.
Given the free throw discrepancy, we probably can't complain about too many calls going the other way.
Doc's has his whole team ready to pounce on Flip's insistence on being predictable.
We're in very bad shape here, with our inability to defend KG and Pierce.
LOL at Rondo trying to dunk on Tayshaun. What an idiot.
Trade Billups to NY, I heard MikeD loves jump stop 3's with 23 seconds left on the shot clock.
I'm not sure what Cleveland did against Boston, but we need to do it.
Rip cannot guard Pierce
Pierce is looking like what Bron did to us last year.
Yeah, Pierce and Garnett are getting shots they want. That's called ball movement. Pistons need to do that.
KG is blowing by Sheed easily, while Sheed is content shooting jumpers... *shakes head*
I am actually a fan of Rondo's game.
Rondo has just been a fiend for the ball.
Why does Rondo leave his man to double on Sheed to cause the turnover? Because his coach told him not to guard the pg if he wears #10. Great coaching IMO
Do you think most of our turnovers are really our mistakes, or is it the Celtics' defense?
Celtics' D. Even those bad passes that look like unforced errors happen because the player gets rushed by the defender.
Boston's defense has us completely clueless on offense. I have to give them credit, they are playing great D.
Celtics look more comfortable than they did in the other two series. Did we watch those tapes?
Seriously. You know it's likely not your night when PJ Brown outplays Rasheed.
Here is what is SO frustrating. Nothing from Chauncey. Hamilton has been brutal, Rasheed has only started to come alive in the fourth yet we are ONLY down six. Boston is so freaking beatable.
NOW they double up on Pierce. And Rondo hits for 3. UGH!
INJURE PIERCE!
Can't have both Pierce and Garnet going at the same time. This also is without Allen, if he gets going we're in trouble.
Well props to Boston, they out-defended us tonight.
Rondo's 5 steals=good defender.
God I hate our team sometimes
Boston just owned us playing hard D and hitting all of their shots. Simple as that.
Flip: "We just weren't in a good flow today" He's making Doc Rivers look like a genius
Celtics defense is what happened to them. And after three straight losses to the Celts, I see no adjustments made to solve this.
All fixed anyways, aren't you guys reading about Tim daunaghy
Magic fan here rooting for you guys. Today just wasn't your guys day, but man I wish you could have had one of those kind of games against us
Hello Magic Fan We could not have a game like that against your team. Those turnovers were not unforced. We got away with the Dice Hunter combo against you because your players are not as good as the C's.
And I know the Celtics defense is much better than ours, just seemed like the missed free throws were strange because even in game 3 you guys shot so well at the line. Guess are fans aren't that loud : (.
Wallace? Hamilton? Billups? No heart. No effort. Trade all of them and get Gerald Green
The Celtics have the two best players in this series BY FAR in Pierce and KG. That might be too much to overcome.
The Celtics are most definitely beatable. The Pistons just have to play well. They're not going to win games against anyone at this point playing average to poor like they did tonight. The fact that NO ONE on the Pistons brought their A-game, Pierce/KG both had it going, yet the Pistons were still very close late in the game on the road after a long layoff should be relatively encouraging for the Pistons.
Watch when Boston set there picks the player continue to move. When you set a pick the player can't move. I was not surpise RIP hit K.G with an elbow. The refs wasn't reason we lost the game but the refs cant allow that to continue.
A lot of home cookin tonight. But we still managed to keep it close. Next game is ours.
A lot of our turnovers were fouls that weren't called. This game was officiated unfair and Boston knew it. THey drove the lane every possession and got the call. Hamilton couldn't buy a call and on that last drive he had in the 4th when we were only down 6 he was mugged.
-The C's defense was spectacular. They were one step ahead of the Pistons all night, and it showed in their crisp defensive rotations. It seemed like every shot the Piston's took was contested. Great job all around.
-A lot was said about how Rondo would keep up with BIllups. After tonight, it looks the answer was "fine." Rondo was all over the place tonight, making big shots, threading great passes, and was just a pest on defense. I'm sure Billups will have some monster games in this series, but at least for tonight, it sure looked like Boston has the advantage at PG in this series.
-KG. Stellar as usual on defense, and his offense is what kept us in the lead for most of the first three quarters. If he can keep hitting those fadeaways from the post, Rasheed is going to have his hands full all series.
-PP. Is it safe to say he is feeling it on offense? He deferred to KG for a large part of the game, but when they needed him to score in the fourth quarter, he slipped back into his terminator mode from last Sunday, making shots from all over the court.
-Posey. Keep an eye on him on defense. Dude is constantly aware of what's going on, and he is always talking to his teammates a la Tim Duncan. Guy is as good as advertised.
-Ray Allen. Missing shots is one thing. Passing up open looks is another. Ray was passing up looks early in the game, and it disrupted the offense. Dude gets paid nearly 20 mill a year to shoot the ball. If we want to win a championship, we're going to need him to play like he is capable of.
The question of rest vs rhythm was answered early. The Celtics came out strong and got off to an 8-0 lead before Billups hit a 3 to stop the run. The Pistons then went on an 8 point run of their own to give the Pistons their first lead at 13-12. The Celtics finished the quarter on a run to grab a 22-17 lead at the end of one. The Pistons shot just 37% in the quarter in part because of some rust on the game and in part because of the Celtics stifling defense. Perk was a beast right from the start, grabbing 8 rebounds in the first quarter. He finished with 5 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist in 31 minutes and his defense on Rasheed Wallace was a big factor in this game.
The Celtics started the second quarter with Ray, PJ, Posey, Powe and House. The Pistons scored the first 5 points of the quarter to tie the game at 22. The lead went back and forth throughout the half and the Celtics ended the half up 41-40. The Celtics shot 51% for the half while holding the Pistons to 39%. The Celtics also out rebounded the Pistons 20-16. But, the difference was at the line where the Pistons shot 17 free throws to just 7 for the Celtics.
The Pistons scored first in the third quarter to take the lead but the Celtics went back up for good on two free throws by Ray Allen to make it 43-42. Ray struggled with his shot again (3-10) but played a very good game, driving to the basket, rebounding and making passes to find the open man. He finished with 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. The Celtics led 69-57 at the end of the third quarter.
Doc started the 4th quarter with Ray, PJ, Powe, Posey and House but KG came in after just 30 seconds and Rondo and Pierce were back on the court after another minute of play. KG and Pierce took turns putting up big shots and Rondo hit a big 3 to give the Celtics an 86-75 lead with 1:46 left in the game. The Celtics were up 88-76 with 22 seconds to play but Prince hit a 3 at the buzzer to bring the final score to 88-79.
The game was fairly physical with a lot of contact being allowed by the refs. There were no incidents other than a cheap shot by Hamilton when he hit KG in the face with an elbow and KG did good not to retaliate. In the second half, the free throws evened out and by the end of the game the discrepancy was just 6 more for the Pistons.
KG took over the defense to start the game and finished with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Paul Pierce picked up where he left off in game 7, hitting tough shots and taking the ball to the hoop and just being aggressive on both ends of the court finishing with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Chauncey Billups was still hampered by the sore hamstring and was out played by Rondo with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals with only 1 turnover in 40 minutes. Doc once again went with Eddie House at the back up point and he brought energy off the bench with 5 points (2-3), 1 rebound and 1 steal. Leon Powe also was back in the rotation along with PJ Brown who once again came up big with 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 18 minutes.
In this game, the Celtics looked more like the team that won 66 games this season. They were aggressive on both ends of the court and held the Pistons to 42% shooting while shooting 52% themselves. The rebounds were even at 37. The Celtics' ball movement was key to this win as they had 27 assists on 36 field goals. The game was tied 12 times and there were 12 lead changes, but the Celtics grabbed the lead in the beginning of the third quarter and kept it. The Pistons are known for taking good care of the ball and don't turn it over often. They even set an NBA record with only 3 turnovers in their series clinching win over the Magic, but tonight they turned it over 13 times in the face of the Celtics defense.
The Pistons were hoping to steal this game with the Celtics coming off a tough 7 game series against Cleveland and they were well rested after being off for a week. But the Celtics came out strong right from the start and crashed the boards, moved the ball and attacked the basket. Game 2 is on Thursday night in the Garden and hopefully the Celtics can keep their home win steak alive then. If they play like they did tonight, they have a very good chance of doing so. As an aside, it sure was nice watching the Celtics pre-game show instead of the lottery. What a difference a year makes!!
