Keys to the Game: Celtics 127, Pistons 109

Detroit scored the first two points of the fourth quarter to cut what was a 19-point Celtics lead down to six.

And then Boston left the Pistons in the dust.

The Celtics scored eight of the game’s next 10 points to rebuild a 12-point lead before coasting to a 127-109 victory.

Malcolm Brogdon both opened the run and closed it with a pair of beautiful buckets. First, he dropped in a driving layup off an assist from Grant Williams, and then he created an opening for a driving, floating jumper to close the run. Between his baskets, Derrick White and Blake Griffin each dropped in layups. Brogdon assisted on White’s bucket, which meant he scored or assisted on six of the eight points of the run.

This spurt from the Celtics occurred from the 10:22 mark to the 9:10 mark of the final quarter and restored order in the matchup. Boston’s lead remained in double-digits the rest of the way and swelled back up to as many as 21 as the team coasted to a victory.

Another game, another exceptional shooting performance from Malcolm Brogdon. This has become a habit for the Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

Brogdon came off Boston’s bench to score 25 points Wednesday night against Detroit. Those 25 points were more than double the next-highest point total by a reserve in the game (11).

As was referenced, Brogdon’s shooting was on point. He connected on 10 of his 14 attempts, including a 5-for-8 effort from long distance. He also added in six rebounds and three assists during his nearly 29 minutes of action.

And, as always, we must take a look at the plus/minus category to understand Brogdon’s true impact. The guard was a game-best plus-20 in that category.