Celtics Fall to Detroit
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by Behbigben15
PG Chauncey Billups led the way for the 18-7 Detroit Pistons, handing the Boston Celtics their 3rd loss (first at home). Billups scored 28 points, and hit 10 of 11 from the FT line, including two that gave the Pistons the lead with 0.1 left in the game. Boston guard, Tony Allen fouled Billups with less than a second left while Billups went up for a 2-point jumper.
Both teams played their heart out, but in the end, the young Celtics team made a big mistake in sending Billups to the line with the game all tied up. KG led Boston in points (26), rebounds (12), and shot 9 of 15 from the floor. Both KG, and Paul Pierce played 40 minutes, and SG, Ray Allen, played 39.
Detroit's win gave them a 4 1/2 game lead over the second place Indiana Pacers (14-12), while Boston's win dropped them to a 6 1/2 game lead over the Toronto Raptors (15-11).
I believe the difference in the game ended up being the bench. Boston's bench scored just 5 points (all 5 scored by Eddie House, while Detroit's scored 14. In all three of Boston's losses, they lost by 5 or less points (102-104 @ORL, 104-109 OT @ CLE, 85-87 vs DET). If the Celtics want to win, they are going to have to get more production than just 5 points off the bench, their 3 stars (KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce) can't carry them on their shoulders all season long. Boston will start to fall by the all-star break if they don't get help from their bench.
Game Stats:
DET
29-72 FG, 9-20 3PT, 20-23 FT, 10 OREB, 24 DREB, 34 REB, 14 AST, 7 STL, 1 BLK, 14 TO, 17 P Fouls, 87 Points
BOS
34-69 FG, 4-14 3PT, 13-21 FT, 10 OREB, 27 DREB, 37 REB, 18 AST, 9 STL, 3 BLK, 15 TO, 18 P Fouls, 85 Points
Why Detroit Won:
- The bottom line was that Detroit just got it done from the FT line, despite being out-shot by Boston. It was a close game all the way through, but, in the end, the young, 25-year old made a BIG mistake, which gave Billups the easy win.
