Facing the Pistons who play their best basketball of the season, the Celtics struggled to win 114-103 and win an 18th victory in their last 21 games. Like Cade Cunningham, Detroit is playing better and better basketball and the Pistons showed it on the floor of the TD Garden.
The two teams went blow for blow in the first half. On one side it is Jayson Tatum who scores, on the other it is the rookie of the Pistons. Neither of the two teams manages to make a break in the score despite sometimes good collective sequences. At the break, Boston leads but by a very small point (62-61).
On returning from the locker room, even hand to hand. We understand better the good form of the Pistons, winners of 4 of their last 5 games. Marvin Bagley and Jerami Grant level with Cunningham, but Jaylen Brown and Tatum answer them. It is finally at the very beginning of the 4th quarter that Boston will press the accelerator.
Unsurprisingly, it was Jayson Tatum who pulled out all the stops. First of all, he scored a basket with the fault then twice served Al Horford who scored 4 points in a row. A few seconds later, he imitated the Dominican and allowed his team to lead by 8 points (102-94). Detroit is asphyxiated to the point of registering only two baskets in the last quarter, and once more, it’s in the last 30 seconds… Dwane Casey’s troop will not return and Boston garners a 5th victory in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Celtics series. Since January 21, Boston has lost only 3 times in 21 games. It’s a team that seems to have found an identity, a style of play. Above all, the players show a desire to share the ball and highlight the teammate. At times, we find the Boston of the best years of Brad Stevens, with more defensive aggressiveness.
– Boston prepares the big night. Tonight, Boston went for this match with heart, under the eyes of a player who perfectly embodied these values of courage and determination, Kevin Garnett. 2008 NBA champion with the Celtics, he will see his jersey retired on Sunday evening. Tonight he was surrounded by Paul Pierce, James Posey, Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine. Will Ray Allen be present on Sunday?
– Detroit on the right track. This season, the Pistons will obviously not make the playoffs, but the team is starting to build itself, to play basketball well. Cade Cunningham is a “franchise player” and Saddiq Bey can catch fire at any time. At their side, Jerami Grant has regained his best level and Marvin Bagley III seems to find a smile and the desire to play basketball. A good omen for the future.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jayson Tatum. We have been repeating ourselves for a few days, Jayson Tatum is playing the best basketball of his young career. Very strong on isolation, it is more and more collective. Suddenly, the game comes to him and he forces less. Tonight, he finishes with 31 points. This is his 5th straight game at 30 points. It’s a record for him and he seems set to continue. With such a Jayson Tatum, Boston is scary.
✅ Cade Cunningham. He had started the season quite timidly, but the rookie seems more and more at ease. It’s simple, his game has evolved rapidly and he is capable of great scoring matches, to the point of really being in the running for the “Rookie of The Year” trophy. He certainly tried a lot (27 shots), but he never doubted: 27 points and 8 rebounds for the spearhead of the Pistons.
⛔ Saddiq Bey. It’s a shame he mightn’t have his usual performance… He disappeared when his team needed him, and he finished with only 9 points on 6 of 17 on shots.
THE FOLLOWING
Pistons (18-49) : reception of the Clippers on Sunday
Celtics (41-27) : Sunday, Boston welcomes Lukas Doncic and Dallas for the retirement of Kevin Garnett’s jersey
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