Boston (14-22) at Detroit (29-5) 3:30 pm EST
AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) - With their efficient winning
ways, the Detroit Pistons could be accused of playing on cruise
control.
Owners of the league's best record, the Pistons can become the
first team to record 30 wins this season when they battle the
Boston Celtics on Monday.
Off to one of the best starts by any team in history, the
Pistons have won five of their six January contests and 14 of
their last 16 overall. Detroit ranks second in the league in
3-point shooting percentage (39.7) and assists (23.9) and is
fifth in points allowed (90.9).
In Saturday's 114-91 win over Charlotte Bobcats, Richard
Hamilton scored 19 points and Maurice Evans added 18 for the
Pistons, who had seven players in double figures. Detroit shot
54 percent (42-of-78) from the floor, including 9-of-17 from
the arc.
Playing the finale of a three-game road trip, the Celtics could
use an emotional boost after Friday's 125-124 triple-overtime
loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Ricky Davis scored 33 points and Mark Blount added 27 with 12
rebounds for Boston, which committed 26 turnovers and failed to
hold a 10-point fourth-quarter lead.
The Pistons defeated the Celtics twice in 12 days in November
and have taken eight of the last nine overall meetings,
including four straight at home.





