Ford Keys to the Game: Pistons at Celtics

Pistons 93, Celtics 119

Game Highlights

Photo of the Game

Kendrick Perkins pulls down a rebound as two Pistons tumble over each other in front of him.
Brian Babineau/Getty Images

By Marc D'Amico
Celtics.com

Key Moment

The estranged Gino, who had gone nearly two and a half months without an appearance in the Garden, is suddenly becoming a nightly appearance. Boston completed a 119-93 dismantling of the Detroit Pistons tonight, resulting in the third appearance by Gino in the past four home games.

Most NBA games have at least some drama, at least one run, or at least one tie. Okay, we did have one tie tonight, when the game was 6-6, but from that point on it was all Celtics.

Paul Pierce was the instigator of Boston's initial burst, scoring 10 points in a span of only 1:56. The first two came from the free throw line and tied the game at 6-6, followed by a conventional three-point play, two more free throws and a 3-pointer. Just before Pierce's trey, Rajon Rondo managed to sneak in a reverse layup on a fast break as well.

While Pierce and Rondo combined for 11 points in that span, the Pistons managed to score only one -- a single free throw from Richard Hamilton. That left the Celtics with a solid 16-7 lead, but a play that came just seconds later turned this game into a route that everyone knew would continue for the remainder of the night.

After Tayshaun Prince missed a short jumper at Detroit's end of the court, Rondo took an outlet pass from Kendrick Perkins and ran a perfect fast break. With Ray Allen flanked to his left and Kevin Garnett trailing on his right, Rondo knew he had two perfect options. When a Pistons defender opted to step in Allen's direction, Rondo slowed down while Garnett kept on streaking. Rondo tossed up a perfect alley-oop that KG threw down with authority, bringing the crowd to its feet and forcing the Pistons to call a quick timeout.

At that point, the route was officially on, as the C's led by as many as 33 at one point.

Key Box Score Line

When a player is called out by his coach during pregame, you know that he's going to want to respond. That's exactly what Marquis Daniels did tonight after his coach relayed the message that he needed to play harder for the Celtics to win ball games.

Daniels had one of his best overall games as a Celtic tonight, scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. He also limited himself to only one turnover in a near-season-high 29:31 of playing time. As Rivers said after the game regarding Daniels' performance, "... that's what we need."

Box Score Nuggets

• Tayshaun Prince was injured with 4:53 remaining in the first quarter and did not return. His only accrued statistic in the game were three missed field goals.
• Ben Gordon was the only player in the game to take at least 10 shots, as he shot 4-of-10.
• Boston outrebounded Detroit 36-27.
• Michael Finley tied for a team-high with 15 points while making six of his seven shots. He also had one rebound and two assists.
• Seven Celtics scored in double-figures, including three who scored 15 apiece (Paul Pierce, Michael Finley and Ray Allen).
• Boston recorded 34 assists in the game, and 11 of their 12 players contributed at least one of those assists.
• In comparison, the C's committed only 13 turnovers.
• Detroit shot only 5-of-16 from 3-point range.
• Six Pistons scored in double-figures, led by Will Bynum's 16.
• The Celtics shot 62.2 percent from the floor, 43.8 percent from 3-point range and 71.4 percent from the free throw line.
• Boston scored at least 25 points in all four quarters, and eclipsed 30 points in three of those periods.

Quote of the Night

Kevin Garnett on the Celtics play today compared to Sunday in Cleveland: "Yeah, we have been talking and talking, at some point trying to show some actions, so it's just what it is. I'll take it though. Hands down night and day, as far as yesterday till today."