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 match. They are going to meet for a 4th and last time in Detroit on February 26. The Celtics gained the sequence 3-0 final season. They’re 255-140 general 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 latest 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 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 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 occurring a 4 recreation Western street journey that may take them by means of 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 consequence of proper patella tendinopathy. He has frequently been on the report however has solely missed one recreation thus far, the December 4 recreation in opposition to the Pistons. He has been downgraded to out for this recreation. I might guess that Queta, Kornet or Tillman would begin if he can’t. Jaden Springer is out as a consequence 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 last standing will probably be a recreation time choice. For the Pistons, solely Bobi Klintman is on the harm checklist with a calf harm. He has but to swimsuit up and play for them this season.
Possible Celtics Starters
PG: Jrue Vacation
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics Reserves
Luke Kornet
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh
2 Manner Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anton Watson
Accidents/Out
Jaden Springer (sickness) out
Jayson Tatum (knee) out
Sam Hauser (adductor) out
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Pistons Starters
PG: Jaden Ivey
SG: Cade Cunningham
SF: Tim Hardaway, Jr
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Jalen Duren
Pistons Reserves
Malik Beasley
Simone Fontecchio
Ron Holland II
Wendell Moore, Jr
Paul Reed
Marcus Sasser
Isaiah Stewart
Ausar Thompson
2-Manner Gamers
Daniss Jenkins
Cole Swider
Alondes Williams
Accidents/Out
Bobi Klintman (calf) out
Head Coach
JB Bickerstaff
Key Matchups
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Derrick White
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
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Cade Cunningham
Picture by Stephen Gosling/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
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 sphere 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 pair of.5 blocks. He shot 46.5% from the sphere however simply 29.4% from past the arc. The Celtics particularly want to stick with him on protection and preserve him from taking pictures and from making a cross to the open man.
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Jrue Vacation
Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
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Jaden Ivey
Picture by Dustin Satloff/Getty Pictures
Jrue Vacation vs Jaden Ivey
Ivey 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 sphere 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 sphere 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 Point out
Payton Pritchard vs Malik Beasley
Beasley is averaging 16 factors, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per recreation. He’s taking pictures 43.7% from the sphere 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 checklist. Within the 2 recreation in opposition to the Celtics he averaged 20 factors and three.5 rebounds whereas taking pictures 50% from the sphere 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 courtroom.
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 score whereas the Pistons are fifteenth with a defensive score 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 sphere 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 robust protection and never underestimate the Pistons, who’ve a variety of younger and hungry gamers.
Rebound – Rebounding is essential 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. Once they present additional effort on the boards, it typically exhibits up in different areas of the sport as properly.
Be Aggressive – The Celtics can’t come into the sport anticipating a straightforward recreation and to have the ability to take it straightforward on each ends of the courtroom as a result of they anticipate the Pistons to roll over and quit as a result of the younger Pistons play exhausting. 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 taking part in as a staff. If they permit the Pistons to play more durable than them they could 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 stream of the sport they’re often excellent. 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 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. In addition 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-Components
Residence Sport – The Celtics are at house they usually want come out prepared to guard house courtroom. Younger groups typically wrestle on the street and hopefully the Backyard will probably be loud and can be capable to distract the younger Pistons staff who additionally should face the distractions of journey. The Celtics will probably be brief handed and so each participant has to step up their recreation. Too typically now we have seen the Celtics loosen up and let up and lose to groups they need to completely beat. Each groups are properly rested having final performed on December 7.
Officiating – Officiating is at all times an x-factor. Each crew calls the sport in a different way. Some name it tight and name each little bit of contact whereas others permit extra bodily play. Some favor the house staff whereas others name each 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 deal with taking part in the sport.
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