The Celtics put a stop to their three-game losing streak with plenty of help from the second unit on Friday night. Daniel Theis scored a career-high 19 points while Marcus Smart added 12 points and six assists in his return to the lineup, as both reserves set the tone for the Celtics in a 110-98 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Both players highlighted a stellar night from the Boston bench as a combination of seven reserves combined to score 65 points against the new-look Pistons. Six different Celtics scored in double figures in the balanced offensive effort as Boston cruised to the win in the fourth quarter with a 13-4 run start to the frame.
Ish Smith had a game-high 20 points in the loss as the C's successfully contained Blake Griffin (5/19 FG) for the second time in as many months (this time in Detroit). Boston is back in action Saturday night at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks.
GAME: No. 60 of 82:
WHO: Celtics (40-19) vs. Pistons (28-29)
WHEN: 7:00 EST
WHERE: Little Caesar's Arena
RADIO: 98.5 the Sports Hub
TV: NBC Sports Boston
Projected starters
Celtics
PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Al Horford
C: Aron Baynes
Inactive: Shane Larkin (knee) is out.
Pistons
PG: Ish Smith
SG: Reggie Bullock
F: Stanley Johnson
F: Blake Griffin
C: Andre Drummond
First Half Notes
- Lackluster start for the Celtics starting five. They were solid in the half court but a few breakdowns in transition led to some easy looks for the Pistons from deep.
- Aron Baynes suffered a left elbow injury early and left the game just three minutes in. He did not return.
- Ish Smith caused all sorts of problems for the Celtics defense early with his penetration and speed. Kyrie Irving couldn't handle him one-on-one, leaving the C's defense to step up with the reserves later in the frame.
- Al Horford still is looking a bit sluggish. Nothing to be overly concerned about but was having trouble bullying Pistons in the post and made a couple foolish turnovers.
- Another really tough stint for Greg Monroe when he took over for Baynes early in the frame. He just doesn't have the defensive awareness/speed necessary to anchor a defense effectively in a fast paced game. Got caught flat footed a couple of times and struggled finishing close in against Andre Drummond.
- Game changed in the second quarter with the C's bench unit. Really nice defensive effort by Smart/Rozier/Ojeleye/Morris/Theis and Horford as well for some minutes in place of Theis. Pistons couldn't get anything going consistently.
- While the offense didn't get going during that stretch a bunch, some timely 3-point shooting from Smart, Rozier and Morris kept it afloat.
- Ojeleye, meanwhile, really turned into a one trick pony (no shot attempts) but played very nice defense on the wing and in switches.
- Jayson Tatum really broke out of his shell strong (11 points, 4/4 FG) on the offensive end in limited minutes.
- Hell of a half for Daniel Theis (12 points, 6 rebounds) who really brought great defensive energy, timely outside shooting and great offensive rebounding that helped fuel a 24-8 run to end the half for the C's.
- Shane Larkin traveled with the team to Detroit but will still sit out as he continues his rehab from a sore knee. He could suit up Saturday night in New York.
- This is the first matchup between the Celtics-Pistons since Detroit acquired Blake Griffin in a blockbuster deal. The two squads have split the season series thus far.
- Marcus Smart will suit up despite missing Thursday's practice with a bruised thigh. He had sat out 11 straight games with lacerations to his hand.
- Boston will hope to avoid dropping four straight games for the second time this season with a victory.