After losing Game Two at home, things looked bleak for the Boston Celtics as they headed to Detroit for Games Three and Four. Coming into Game Three the Celtics were yet to win on the road and by losing at home they were put in a position of having to win a road game in this series.
I really don’t know what got into them but Boston came out hard and played hard like they did all season and put up their best road effort in three playoff series and came away with a 94-80 win at the Palace at Auburn Hills. The win gives the Green a 2-1 series lead but more importantly it also got the home court advantage back.
Boston was clicking on all cylinders as they lead by 8 points after 1 quarter, by 18 at the half. In the third quarter they pushed it to as many as 24 points before Detroit chipped away and cut it to as little as 9 points late in the fourth.
The story of the game was the team defense as they held Detroit to 39% from the floor at home, with only one three made on 13 attempts. The Celtics also forced 10 Piston turnovers and had a 16 rebound advantage over Detroit.
Kevin Garnett led the Celtics with 22 points and 13 rebounds as he got yet another double-double, Kendrick Perkins had a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards and Ray Allen added 14 points.
Former UConn guard Richard Hamilton had a game high 26 points for Detroit, rookie Rodney Stuckey chipped in with 17 points and Rasheed Wallace had 12 points and 8 boards.
Game Four is Monday night at the Palace at Auburn Hills as the Celtics will look to take a commanding lead in the series.
I was watching ESPN after the game last night, and Michael Wilbon made a good point–the Pistons throw in one “clunker” every series, one game where they just don’t seem to show up. Was last night’s game THAT game for this series, or was it a case of the Celtics FINALLY playing like the best road team in the league, which is what they were this past season? If it was the latter, the Pistons may be in trouble. If it was the former, we’ll be going back to Boston even at two games apiece…..
BHG
Wilbon makes a great point about that because they always do that.
Garnett looked like a man possessed last night though so I think it was a matter of the celtics playing like the best road team in the league.
I thought Game One was the Detroit clunker. Wilbon has some ’splaining to do.
That was an impressive performance for a number of reasons. At one point in game two (late third quarter – early fourth) the Pistons looked unstoppable.
Celtics took some great punches and have answered the bell.
Game four should be one for the ages.