The Boston Celtics putting an end to the Detroit Pistons’ record setting long 13-game winning streak with an explosive conclusion on Saturday night were #1. Both sides turned in exceptional performances during the bout. In the end, it was the Celtics that took home the win by a score of 115-112 at TD Garden in Boston.
Payton Pritchard was the Celtics’ sparkplug. With just under 2.4 seconds remaining on the clock, he converted two critical free throws after grabbing a key rebound and drawing a foul. That was the decisive moment, one that proved enough to earn Boston their fifth victory in their past six contests. Pritchard added a quiet 16 points, while Chaney and Kelleher put together great performances in support.
Jaylen Brown was the leader for the Celtics with 33 points and 10 boards, showcasing his elite scoring ability all game long. Derrick White’s influence extended far beyond the shot heard ’round the world. He scored 27 points, including 11 over the last four and a half minutes to lock down the lead.
Even in a losing effort, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham was undoubtedly the star of this game, dropping an electric 42 points. His offensive brilliance made the Pistons a formidable dark horse, helping them stay in contention even in the game’s most crucial stretches. The Pistons were down three with seconds remaining. Although Cunningham was just about to pull up for a three-pointer, he was fouled near halfcourt.
After the game, Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff was introspective in gauging his team’s performance. He commended the team for their dedication but stressed that there were still opportunities for them to do better.
“We understand it’s one game, and we understand also that we didn’t play our best basketball,” – J.B. Bickerstaff
Cunningham was of course sad to hear this news, but agreed with his coach’s thoughts that his squad still showed a lot of fight.
“We all wanted it tonight, we all wanted 14 wins,” – Cade Cunningham
He added, “We can’t go back. I can’t shoot the free throw again. We can’t get up on 3s again. The game is over with. It’s about how we’re going to respond.”
With its recent game against Indiana, the Pistons have just tied their franchise record for consecutive victories. This extraordinary achievement underscores their amazing transformation from enduring a historic 28-game losing streak only two seasons ago. Their perfect season last year and return to a 15-3 record this year are both measures of just how far they’ve come.
As the game came to a close, Boston’s elite defense shined. They picked off a pass to keep Detroit from getting off a potential game-tying three-pointer. This defensive effort underscored the Celtics’ determination to secure the win and halt the Pistons’ momentum.
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