The Boston Celtics led by as many as 26 points and defeated the Pistons in Detroit, 109-89, Saturday night. Here’s how the Boston Celtics players graded out in the win.
The Boston Celtics made a statement with their defense on Blake Griffin Saturday, shutting down the Detroit Pistons star on their way to the first winning streak of the season.
After peaking its head out from the sand in Oklahoma City, the Celtics offense finally came to play for a full 48 minutes and the results were quite impressive. 14 made three-pointers and 25 assists on 39 baskets.
The ball was moving and the players were cutting with purpose and the shots were finally falling. Sometimes, basketball is as simple as sharing the love. Play the game the right way, make your teammates happy, and good things will happen.
Make that 2-0 on the trip after our guys, led by Jaylen Brown, took down the Pistons 109-89. https://t.co/WBGQ4NvoxD
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 28, 2018
Boston finally looked like the team we were all expecting, devastating Detroit with their length and tenacity and pinging the ball from great player to great player until the defense loosens up.
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Here’s how each player graded out in the 20-point win.
Once again, Irving didn’t shoot well, finishing 1-for-5 from the field but it made up for it in a myriad of ways. Irving showed the maturity and growth his fans were hoping for when he joined the Celtics, focusing on playing great defense and running the offense when his shot wasn’t falling and the openings weren’t there.<p>Irving only scored 3 points, but he dished out 5 assists and snatched 7 defensive rebounds. He competed his rear off defensively, jostling with Blake Griffin on switches and providing timely help-side defense. The 6-foot-3 point guard also freed <a rel=. PG. Boston Celtics. KYRIE IRVING. B+
A-. Entering the game in one of the worst shooting slumps of his young career, <a rel=. WING. Boston Celtics. JAYLEN BROWN
Boston Celtics. GORDON HAYWARD. B+. <a rel=. WING
WING. Boston Celtics. JAYSON TATUM. C. For the first time all season, Tatum did not reach double figures in shot attempts. The second-year forward finished just 2-for-9 on a steady diet of mid-range jumpers and scored only six points.<p>However, the offensive diversity allowed the Celtics to find a rhythm they hadn’t had all season and Tatum was more patient and paint-oriented, even if he continues to pass up open three-pointers. Tatum also dished out 3 assists, including a couple really nice dimes to <a rel=
The Celtics center played with the poise and prescience we’ve come to expect, but Horford had a poor shooting night and didn’t play much (20 minutes) as the lead stayed steady in the second half.<p>Still, Horford’s defense was critical in limiting both Blake Griffin and <a rel=. Center. Boston Celtics. AL HORFORD. C
As good as Brown, Irving, and Hayward were for Boston, the Celtics bench turned this game into a blowout with their outstanding play late in the first quarter and throughout the second quarter.<p>Daniel Theis and <a rel=. . Boston Celtics. BENCH . A+
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The Boston Celtics (4-2) and the Detroit Pistons (4-1) will play again on Tuesday, this time back in Boston. The Celtics will hope to make it three in a row and show their coach they can play consistent basketball, while the Pistons will look to get back in the winner’s circle after losing their first game.