The Celtics host the Detroit Pistons for the third of 4 video games between them this season. The Celtics received the primary recreation 124-118 in Detroit on October 26. They received the second recreation 130-120 in Boston on December 4. This recreation was added after each groups didn’t advance within the Emirates NBA Cup event. They’ll meet for a 4th and remaining time in Detroit on February 26. The Celtics received the sequence 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 received 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 dwelling and 8-2 of their final 10 video games. They’re 17-3 in opposition to Jap 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 Jap Convention groups. They’re coming off a win over the Knicks of their final recreation.
The Pistons final performed on December 7 they usually received’t play once more till December 16. They’ll play They’ll play at dwelling in opposition to Miami and Utah earlier than happening a 4 recreation Western street journey that may take them by way of Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento and Denver. They’ll then return dwelling for a 4 recreation dwelling 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 dwelling stand after video games in opposition to Miami, Pistons, Milwaukee, and Memphis as the primary 4 video games within the dwelling stand. They’ll play at Washington earlier than going through Chicago at dwelling and at Chicago in a house and residential set. They then journey to Orlando earlier than one other 4 recreation dwelling stand the place they host Philadelphia, Indiana twice, and Toronto.
Jayson Tatum was as soon as once more questionable on the harm report because of proper patella tendinopathy. He has repeatedly 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’d guess that Horford, Queta, Kornet or Tillman would begin if he cannot. Jaden Springer is out because 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 remaining standing will probably be a recreation time determination. For the Pistons, solely Bobi Klintman is on the harm record with a calf harm. He has but to go well with 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 Means 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-Means 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 by way of Getty Photos
Cade Cunningham
Photograph by Stephen Gosling/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Derrick White vs Cade Cunningham Cunningham is averaging 23.9 factors, 7.2 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 1 steal whereas taking pictures 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 maintain him from taking pictures and from making a go to the open man.
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Jrue Vacation
Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Jaden Ivey
Photograph by Dustin Satloff/Getty Photos
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 taking pictures 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 taking pictures 54.2% from the sector and 37.5% from past the arc. The Celtics must 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 taking pictures 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 one centesimal 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 taking pictures 50% from the sector and 57.9% from past the arc. The Celtics want their very own sixth man sharpshooter to have a very good recreation on each ends of the court docket.
Keys to the Sport Protection – Protection will at all times be key to profitable 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 spotted 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 powerful protection and never underestimate the Pistons, who’ve a number of younger and hungry gamers.
Rebound – Rebounding is necessary to provide the Celtics additional 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 should 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 provide additional effort to beat the Pistons to rebounds. After they present additional effort on the boards, it typically exhibits up in different areas of the sport as effectively.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics can’t come into the sport anticipating a simple recreation and to have the ability to take it straightforward 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 arduous. They’ve to return in and be aggressive on protection, on taking the ball to the basket, on diving for unfastened balls, on rebounding and on enjoying as a workforce. If they permit the Pistons to play tougher than them they might simply be stunned with a loss.
3 Level Taking pictures – The Celtics are first within the league with 51.4 threes tried per recreation and first with 19 makes per recreation. They’re thirteenth, taking pictures 37% from three whereas the Pistons are sixteenth taking pictures 36.3% on threes. When the Celtics shoot 3’s within the move of the sport they’re often superb. However after they attempt to power it, they typically go chilly. They should not attempt to power 3’s and proceed to maneuver the ball and take the most effective shot. Additionally, if the three’s aren’t falling on this recreation they should abandon that technique and take the ball inside. Additionally they must 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 dwelling they usually want come out prepared to guard dwelling court docket. Younger groups typically battle on the street and hopefully the Backyard will probably be loud and can be capable to distract the younger Pistons workforce who additionally should 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 now have seen the Celtics calm down and let up and lose to groups they need to completely beat. Each groups are effectively 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 unhealthy calls to have an effect on their give attention to enjoying the sport.
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