Boston get payback on the Detroit Pistons for breaking their streak

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 10: Kyrie Irving
DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 10: Kyrie Irving /
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The Detroit Pistons came into the game looking to break a 5 game losing streak against the Boston Celtics. In what was an ugly and scrappy game both ways, the Boston Celtics extended the Detroit Pistons losing streak to 6.

In Australia we call the 3rd quarter the ‘championship quarter’, because that’s where good teams step up and take control of a game, and that is exactly what the Boston Celtics did in the 3rd quarter. It took the Detroit Pistons 10 field goal attempts and a shade over 5 minutes to score their first bucket.

From that moment on the Boston Celtics never relinquished the lead. They eased off the accelerator to let Detroit back into the game, but after a wide open 3 by Jayson Tatum, they had the game sealed.

C. Reggie Jackson only played 19 minutes tonight. He finished with 2 points and didn’t hit a shot from the field. He did however dish 3 assists, and grab 2 steals. Although he didn’t make a field goal, he did take good shots, it just wasn’t his night.. PG. Detroit Pistons. REGGIE JACKSON

B. Avery Bradley started the game hot, scoring with ease. This slowed down as he finished the game with 12 points. However he put in a lot of work defensively into Kyrie Irving holding him to 16 points on 33.3 percent from the field.. SG. Detroit Pistons. AVERY BRADLEY

C. Stanley Johnson managed 14 minutes tonight and finished with 5 points and 2 rebounds. He looked active early and had his shot going, but picked up some fouls and Stan Van Gundy elected not to bring him back.. SF. Detroit Pistons. STANLEY JOHNSON

B+. Tobias Harris was one of the best Pistons on the night. He always visibly gives his all and tried to do as much as he could to help his team.. PF. Detroit Pistons. TOBIAS HARRIS

ANDRE DRUMMOND. C. Andre Drummond was well held tonight going scoreless for most of the game. He still grabbed 15 rebounds but was nullified by the Celtics. Andre was double teamed on almost every roll to the rim, and was never able to establish himself into the game. He kept trying all night but to no avail.. C. Detroit Pistons

Ish Smith was part of the unit that got the Pistons back into the game after the terrible 3rd quarter. He led admirably and was his usual speedy and agile self. He finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists and was one of the few Pistons to finish with a positive +/-.. PG. Detroit Pistons. ISH SMITH. B+

Langston Galloway played 5 minutes. It would’ve been nice to see some more court time for him considering his ability to score. He finished with 1 rebound and took 2 shots.. SG. Detroit Pistons. LANGSTON GALLOWAY. C

B+. Kennard continues to impress me with his poise. He finished the game with 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal as well as a +5 plus/minus. Kennard continues to make the right plays at the right time, and is beginning to learn when to shoot and when not to.. SF. Detroit Pistons. LUKE KENNARD

Detroit Pistons. ANTHONY TOLLIVER. A. Anthony Tolliver was easily the best player for the Pistons tonight. The constant professional played hard, made shots, and played defense consistently. Tolliver finished with 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block shooting 66.7 percent from the field!. PF

C+. We finally got to see Boban be freed off the bench tonight, even if it only was for 5 minutes. That was enough for Boban to get his signature post up and one handed hook shot to drop. He even dished a beautiful assist (see below).. C. Detroit Pistons. BOBAN MARJANOVIC

B. Eric Moreland played 11 minutes and got 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. He fought hard on the boards which has become his signature (he finished with the same number of offensive rebounds as Drummond). The next step for Moreland is to sometimes look for his own offense after an offensive rebound.. C. Detroit Pistons. ERIC MORELAND

REGGIE BULLOCK. C+. Reggie Bullock played a good game in his 7 minutes. Bullock finished with 2 points and 2 rebounds and looked active and engaged. I’ve been a big critic of Bullocks but he played well in limited time.. SF. Detroit Pistons

STAN VAN GUNDY. C. Stan Van Gundy gets a passing grade here. His Detroit Pistons looked flat and lacked energy at stages in the game and that ultimately falls on the coach. His game plan was fine and he went to the bench for extended minutes after realising that they were getting things going easier and more efficiently.. Head Coach. Detroit Pistons