By Andrew Medeiros

May 24, 2008: SCOREBOARD | IN FOCUS GALLERY | AROUND THE ASSOCIATION ARCHIVE

PHOTO OF THE NIGHT
The Celtics tied an NBA record with six road playoff losses to start the postseason, but hustled on the defensive end Saturday and held the Pistons to just 80 points. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images/NBAE
QUOTE OF THE NIGHT
Rodney Stuckey "We didn't come out and play. That's it, point blank. We didn't give no effort at all at the start of the game, and you can't do that against a team like [Boston]."
- Detroit guard Rodney Stuckey after the Celtics reclaimed home-court advantage with a Game 3 win in Detroit.
THE DAY'S TOP VIDEO
Saturday's top play: Kevin Garnett finishes the break with a monster jam..
  • Haier Play of the Day
  • Dunk of the Night
  • Block of the Night
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  • Assist of the Night
  • Steal of the Night
  • NBA TV Top 10
    • NBA.COM'S FANTASY TAKE
    Michael Finley With most of my Spurs players off the board, I’ve been going with Lakers to this point in the conference finals even though I see Los Angeles coming out on top. In the interest of keeping some strong options into the Finals, I’m moving back to San Antonio and taking a role player. There are a handful of options averaging around 10 PRA, but the trick is to figure out which one will have a big night in Game 3. It’s risky, but my gut says to go with Michael Finley with Manu Ginobili struggling on his sore ankle.
    SHOOTING STUDS
    Kendrick Perkins Kendrick Perkins, Celtics
    94-80 win at Pistons
    12 pts, 6-7 FG

    Paul Pierce, Celtics
    94-80 win at Pistons
    11 pts, 4-6 FG, 2-3 3-pt FG

    Kevin Garnett, Celtics
    94-80 win at Pistons
    22 pts, 7-16 FG, 8-9 FT
    STAT SHEET STUFFER
    Kevin Garnett Game 3 was a must-win game for Boston to keep Detroit from stealing all the momentum in the Eastern Conference Finals, but for Kevin Garnett it was just another night in the office. Boston topped the Pistons thanks to a balanced effort starting with the man who changed the outlook of the organization. Garnett led the Celtics in almost every statistical category with 22 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
    SHOOTING DUDS
    Chauncey Billups Chauncey Billups, Pistons
    94-80 loss vs Celtics
    6 pts, 1-6 FG, 1-4 3-pt FG

    Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
    94-80 loss vs Celtics
    4 pts, 2-11 FG, 0-1 3-pt FG

    Ray Allen, Celtics
    94-80 win at Pistons
    14 pts, 5-16 FG, 1-6 3-pt FG
    ROAD STREAK SNAPPED
    Celtics Coming into the conference finals, Doc Rivers insisted he wasn’t worried that Boston hadn’t yet won a road playoff game. They had played the entire season to get home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. They had won every game necessary – until Thursday. Now the league’s best road team during the regular season needed to actually win a playoff game on the road or their season would end in disappointment. Boston wasted no time getting that road win, renewing their defensive efforts on Saturday for a 94-80 win in Detroit.
    ROOKIE WATCH
    Rodney Stuckey It’s hard to trust a backup point guard during his first playoff run. After a solid regular season, Rodney Stuckey is making it easier for Flip Saunders to trust the rookie with each passing game. Stuckey was held scoreless twice during the Pistons’ first round series with the Sixers, but has continued to develop in each series – averaging 9.8 points against Orlando and 13 against Boston. With Chauncey Billups obviously still fighting through his hamstring injury, the Pistons looked to Stuckey in Game 3 and he responded with 17 points, four assists and four steals.
    FILLING THEIR ROLE
    Rajon Rondo One of the questions surrounding the Celtics has been which of the three All-Stars would post the game of his life with the season in doubt. After a 41-point showdown with LeBron James, it looked like Paul Pierce. But, with Pierce passing up shots for most of Saturday’s win, maybe the answer is nobody needs to. The Big Three combined for half of the Celtics’ 94 points and role players picked up the slack. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins led the way with 12 points apiece, while veterans Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown kept Boston in front with starters in foul trouble.