What has happened to the Detroit Pistons? They traded away Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson and they are not the same team that’s for sure, I’m not even sure they’re a better team. Even though they had won four of the last five coming into Thursday night’s matchup they look really disjointed and lackluster at times and it translated into a 98-80 pasting by the Boston Celtics at the TD Banknorth Garden.
After a first quarter that saw the clubs tied at 21-21 after the first 12 minutes, the Celtics pulled away in the second quarter jumping out to a 49-40 lead at the half. The third quarter saw the Green pull away even further taking a 20 point lead, 77-57 into the final quarter.
It was an all round team effort for Boston (11-2) in the win as five players scored in double figures led by Rajon Rondo’s 18 points. Kevin Garnett, who returned from a one game suspension, had 15 points, Tony Allen had 13, Ray Allen had 12 and Eddie House chipped in with 11 points while Kendrick Perkins had 10 rebounds.
Detroit (8-4) was led by Iverson who had 16 points, Rasheed Wallace had 13 points and Richard Hamilton added 12 in the loss for the passionless Pistons.
Boston is back at it Friday night as Kevin Garnett gets to play in Minnesota for the first time since his trade to Boston prior to last season. When the Celtics played in Minny last year Garnett was injured and missed the game. He was introduced to the crowd to a raucous ovation by the Timberwolves fans. It will be intersting to see what type of reaction KG gets tomorrow night.
