The Celtics host the Detroit Pistons for the third of 4 video games between them this season. The Celtics gained the primary recreation 124-118 in Detroit on October 26. They gained the second recreation 130-120 in Boston on December 4. This recreation was added after each groups did not advance within the Emirates NBA Cup event. They are going to meet for a 4th and ultimate time in Detroit on February 26. The Celtics gained the collection 3-0 final season. They’re 255-140 total all time in opposition to the Pistons and they’re 125-46 all time in video games performed in Boston. They’ve gained their final 11 video games in opposition to the Pistons.
The Celtics are 2nd within the East, 1.5 video games behind Cleveland after their current loss to the Grizzlies. They’re 10-3 at house and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re 17-3 in opposition to Japanese Convention opponents they usually misplaced their final recreation. The Pistons are eleventh within the East after their loss on Tuesday to the Bucks. They’re 6-8 on the street and 3-7 of their final 10 video games. They’re 9-13 in opposition to Japanese Convention groups. They’re coming off a win over the Knicks of their final recreation.
The Pistons final performed on December 7 they usually gained’t play once more till December 16. They are going to play They are going to play at house in opposition to Miami and Utah earlier than happening a 4 recreation Western street journey that may take them via Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento and Denver. They are going to then return house for a 4 recreation house stand, internet hosting Orlando, Charlotte, Minnesota and Portland.
The Celtics simply completed a troublesome stretch or 5 video games in 7 nights however haven’t performed since Saturday 12/7. That is the ultimate recreation of a 5 recreation house stand after video games in opposition to Miami, Pistons, Milwaukee, and Memphis as the primary 4 video games within the house stand. They are going to play at Washington earlier than dealing with Chicago at house and at Chicago in a house and residential set. They then journey to Orlando earlier than one other 4 recreation house stand the place they host Philadelphia, Indiana twice, and Toronto.
Jayson Tatum was as soon as once more questionable on the harm report as a result of proper patella tendinopathy. He has commonly been on the report however has solely missed one recreation to this point, the December 4 recreation in opposition to the Pistons. He has been downgraded to out for this recreation. I might guess that Horford, Queta, Kornet or Tillman would begin if he cannot. Jaden Springer is out as a result of an sickness.
Sam Hauser was initially questionable after injuring his adductor within the recreation in opposition to Memphis. He left the sport and was unable to return. He has been downgraded to uncertain for this recreation and his ultimate standing shall be a recreation time choice. For the Pistons, solely Bobi Klintman is on the harm record with a calf harm. He has but to swimsuit up and play for them this season.
Possible Celtics Starters
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PG: Jrue HolidaySG: Derrick WhiteSF: Jaylen BrownPF: Al Horford C: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics ReservesLuke KornetPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanXavier Tillman, SrJordan Walsh
2 Method PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Accidents/OutJaden Springer (sickness) out Jayson Tatum (knee) outSam Hauser (adductor) out
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Pistons Starters
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PG: Jaden IveySG: Cade CunninghamSF: Tim Hardaway, JrPF: Tobias HarrisC: Jalen Duren
Pistons Reserves Malik BeasleySimone Fontecchio Ron Holland IIWendell Moore, JrPaul Reed Marcus SasserIsaiah StewartAusar Thompson
2-Method Gamers Daniss Jenkins Cole SwiderAlondes Williams
Accidents/OutBobi Klintman (calf) out
Head CoachJB Bickerstaff
Key Matchups
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Derrick White
Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Cade Cunningham
Photograph by Stephen Gosling/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Derrick White vs Cade Cunningham Cunningham is averaging 23.9 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1 steal whereas capturing 45.5% from the sector and 39.3% from past the arc. Within the first 2 video games in opposition to the Celtics, he averaged 24 factors, 7.5 rebounds, 12 assists and a couple of.5 blocks. He shot 46.5% from the sector however simply 29.4% from past the arc. The Celtics particularly want to stick with him on protection and hold him from capturing and from making a move to the open man.
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Jrue Vacation
Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photographs
Jaden Ivey
Photograph by Dustin Satloff/Getty Photographs
Jrue Vacation vs Jaden IveyIvey is one other of Detroit’s younger stars. He’s averaging 17.6 factors, 4.2 rebounds 4.3 assists and 1 steal per recreation. He’s capturing 44.5% from the sector and 37.8% from past the arc. Within the first 2 video games in opposition to the Celtics, he averaged 18.5 factors, 3.5 rebounds, and 4 assists whereas capturing 54.2% from the sector and 37.5% from past the arc. The Celtics have to defend him higher on this recreation than they did within the final one.
Honorable MentionPayton Pritchard vs Malik BeasleyBeasley is averaging 16 factors, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per recreation. He’s capturing 43.7% from the sector and 41.3% from past the arc. He’s 4th within the league with 85 three pointers made. Within the final recreation in opposition to the Celtics he went 2-4 and that moved him into a hundredth on the all time 3 factors made record. Within the 2 recreation in opposition to the Celtics he averaged 20 factors and three.5 rebounds whereas capturing 50% from the sector and 57.9% from past the arc. The Celtics want their very own sixth man sharpshooter to have a great recreation on each ends of the court docket.
Keys to the Sport Protection – Protection will at all times be key to successful each recreation. The Celtics are tenth within the league with a 110.8 defensive ranking whereas the Pistons are fifteenth with a defensive ranking of 113.4. The Pistons are twenty first within the league, averaging 110.5 factors per recreation. Within the final recreation in opposition to the Pistons, the Celtics allowed them to shoot 51.2% from the sector and 51.3% from past the arc they usually allowed them to attain 120 factors. After watching the Thunder play, I noticed how far the Celtics have slipped from final season on the defensive finish. The Celtics have to return into this recreation with the mindset that they should play robust protection and never underestimate the Pistons, who’ve a whole lot of younger and hungry gamers.
Rebound – Rebounding is vital to offer the Celtics further possessions and to restrict possessions for his or her opponents. The Celtics are averaging 44.0 rebounds per recreation (14th) whereas the Pistons are averaging 45.4 rebounds (seventh). Of their first assembly, the Pistons out-rebounded the Celtics 44-37 and within the second recreation the Celtics out rebounded the Pistons 43-34 and the Celtics need to as soon as once more crash the boards and out-rebound the Pistons. The Celtics are 11-0 after they out-rebound or tie their opponents and are simply 8-4 when they’re out-rebounded. Rebounding takes effort and the Celtics want to offer further effort to beat the Pistons to rebounds. After they present further effort on the boards, it typically reveals up in different areas of the sport as nicely.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics can’t come into the sport anticipating a straightforward recreation and to have the ability to take it simple on each ends of the court docket as a result of they count on the Pistons to roll over and quit as a result of the younger Pistons play laborious. They’ve to return in and be aggressive on protection, on taking the ball to the basket, on diving for free balls, on rebounding and on taking part in as a workforce. If they permit the Pistons to play tougher than them they might simply be stunned with a loss.
3 Level Capturing – The Celtics are first within the league with 51.4 threes tried per recreation and first with 19 makes per recreation. They’re thirteenth, capturing 37% from three whereas the Pistons are sixteenth capturing 36.3% on threes. When the Celtics shoot 3’s within the movement of the sport they’re often superb. However after they attempt to drive it, they typically go chilly. They should not attempt to drive 3’s and proceed to maneuver the ball and take one of the best shot. Additionally, if the three’s aren’t falling on this recreation they should abandon that technique and take the ball inside. Additionally they have to defend the perimeter higher as they allowed the Pistons to shoot 52.3% from past the arc of their final recreation.
X-Elements House Sport – The Celtics are at house they usually want come out prepared to guard house court docket. Younger groups typically battle on the street and hopefully the Backyard shall be loud and can have the ability to distract the younger Pistons workforce who additionally need to face the distractions of journey. The Celtics will presumably be quick handed and so each participant has to step up their recreation. Too typically we have now seen the Celtics calm down and let up and lose to groups they need to completely beat. Each groups are nicely rested having final performed on December 7.
Officiating – Officiating is at all times an x-factor. Each crew calls the sport otherwise. Some name it tight and name each little bit of contact whereas others permit extra bodily play. Some favor the house workforce whereas others name either side evenly. The Celtics have to regulate to the way in which the refs are calling the sport and never permit the no calls and dangerous calls to have an effect on their concentrate on taking part in the sport.
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