Final: Celtics 109, Pistons 89 -- Second unit sets tone in blowout win

The Celtics looked like they figured something out at halftime in Oklahoma City on the offensive end and that momentum carried over accordingly on Saturday night in Detroit. The C's jumped out to a 23-point halftime lead behind the play of Jaylen Brown (team-high 19 points) and the bench unit, enabling the visitors to cruise to a 109-89 win over the previously undefeated Pistons. 

Daniel Theis (season-high 17 points), Marcus Morris (18 points), Marcus Smart (9 assists) and Terry Rozier (14 points, 7 rebounds) were sensational all night long, which allowed Brad Stevens to ride that second group for much of the first half as they built a double-digit lead that Boston never squandered. No starter played more than 28 minutes thanks to what was almost 24 minutes of garbage time in the second half, as the Pistons never threatened with a run during a horrific offensive night for Blake Griffin (seven points) and Detroit's outside shooting (7-of-37 from 3).

Second Quarter Notes 

• The second unit plus Tatum completely blew the doors off the Pistons from an offensive standpoint in this frame and it all started with Daniel Theis.


• The center scored 14 points in the first half in just 11 minutes (five short of his career high). He also grabbed seven rebounds hit a 3, ran the floor with great success and looked like the guy from last season for the first time all year.


• Rozier and Morris were also phenomenal in the second quarter. Rozier continues to push the pace off rebounds, creating open looks for teammates all over the floor. Morris (2-of-3 from deep) continues to be a huge weapon off the bench.


• Jaylen Brown found his offensive rhythm (11 points) for the first time all year, attacking the basket with success while not forcing it. He also paid a pair of open 3s before picking up four fouls and heading to the bench.


• Just eight combined points for Tatum/Horford/Irving and it didn't matter. Those guys didn't force the offense and everyone else was picking up the slack, leading to 23-point halftime lead


• Defensively, the C's honed in on Griffin (3 points on 1-of-9 shooting) and took advantage of what was largely a lethargic Pistons offense. Little ball movement, no effort on the glass (zero offensive rebounds despite 37 percent shooting). Just a terrific all-around effort form the green

• C's open up with Jaylen Brown on Blake Griffin, but there is plenty of switching that goes on over the course of the frame.


• Team defense and rebounding really locked in early. Griffin forced to settle for long contested jumpers, very little going to the hoop for Jackson or Bullock. Drummond essentially a non-factor after picking up two quick fouls.


• The C's offensive momentum from Thursday night is carrying over as well, at least with the starters. Quicker decisions, better ball movement on the whole and Jaylen Brown (7 points) coming alive for the first time this year since the opener.


• C's pushed the lead to as many as 12 but Stanley Johnson (12 first-quarter points) kept the Pistons in it with hot shooting.


• Really nice passing by the second unit led to three easy baskets for Daniel Theis down low.


• Marcus Morris up to 50 percent shooting from 3-point range on the year after hitting his first 3 of the night.

• The Celtics will be without Aron Baynes (strained hamstring) for the third straight game, as the team prepares to be very cautious with his return in the early stages of the season. Baynes told reporters that he'd be active if this was a playoff game, so look for him to return to the floor on Tuesday night at the TD Garden in a rematch with Detroit.


• Reserve big man Daniel Theis is also questionable with a foot injury. He did not play in the second half of Thursday's win over the Thunder and his presence looms large in this matchup against the Pistons' sizable frontcourt of Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond. Without Theis, the C's would be reliant on Al Horford, Robert Williams and Guerschon Yabusele to handle the center minutes.


• The C's progress on the glass from Thursday night will be put to the test again in Detroit against the best rebounding team in the NBA. Drummond, Griffin and reserve big man Zaza Pachulia have teamed up to put as the second-best offensive rebounding team in the league and No. 1 on the defensive end. It's going to take a team effort from all five players on the floor for the C's to survive that onslaught.


• Griffin has been on an incredible run over the first four games of the year, highlighted by a 50-point effort against the Sixers on Tuesday night. He leads the league in PPG (36.5) and is shooting over 60 percent from 3-point range.


• The Pistons are one of the four remaining undefeated teams in the league (Pelicans, Bucks, Raptors). They have played the NBA's softest schedule though with just one game (Sixers) coming against an expected playoff team.