Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons Preview

The Boston Celtics will be looking to make things right as the Detroit Pistons had a three point victory over them last time they played. The Celtics had an uncharacteristic poor defensive game against the Pistons and that will become the main priority this time around. The Celtics are looking to respond to their three game losing streak with a three game winning streak and they will have to do it against a team just ahead of them in the standings.

Last time they played, the Pistons were hitting everything from range. The Pistons hit over 50% of their three pointers and the Celtics will surely make it a priority to ensure that does not happen again.

In addition to losing the game because of the Pistons’ three point shooting, the Celtics had one of their poorest game with turnovers. They lost that battle by seven and that is simply unacceptable with how they want to play. Turnovers are essential to the Celtics on both ends. They lose all their offensive flow if they do not consistently have reliable ball movement and the majority of their defensive success comes from their ability to generate turnovers.

One positive that can be taken away from that earlier Pistons game is the work they did in the paint. Despite going up against a far superior athlete in Andre Drummond, the Celtics still won the battle in the paint 52-36. The Celtics know they are capable of beating the Pistons, it really becomes a matter of them playing their best game.

The Celtics are emerging as one of the most improved three point shooting teams in the league and it is through a universal effort. Thomas, Bradley, Olynyk, Crowder and Jerebko are all improving from range but they have proven that shooting will not be enough. The Celtics shot quite well in their last game against the Pistons but their defense threw all of that away.

Dec 23, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Celtics win 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

The Pistons do remain a relatively problematic matchup for the Celtics. They are in the top 10 in turnovers per game with just 13.6 and they are 11th forcing 15.2 turnovers per game. By no means are the Pistons better than the Celtics at forcing turnovers. However, they are a sound team on both ends of the court and the turnover battle will not be won easily for the Celtics.

The Celtics can take something from the fact that the last time they played was a bit of an outlier for the Pistons who rank 23rd with a three point shooting percentage of 33.4%. The Pistons are not known as a strong three point shooting team but they caught fire last time against the Celtics.

The Celtics should have no problem preventing the Pistons from shooting over 50% from three again but that may create more issues in the paint. Last time the Celtics focused entirely on stopping the three ball, the Atlanta Hawks scored 68 points in the paint.

If the Celtics can manage to contain the Pistons in the paint like they did last time, while at the same time the Pistons shoot closer to their average, then they will be in a great position to win the game.

The Celtics have looked revitalized in their last two games and they have been playing strong balanced basketball. They continue to struggle with turnovers but they are shooting well while maintaining their elite defensive activity. The Pistons are a strong team but if the Celtics can play like they have in the last two games then the Pistons will need one of their best performances of the season to come out with a victory.

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The Celtics are looking to build a winning streak and get back into the eastern conference playoff picture and taking down the Pistons will go a long way in reestablishing them.

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