Pistons 119, Celtics 113

 

The Celtics start the season 0-3 for the first time since 2013. This afternoon, they dropped a road game in Detroit, 118-113, a loss all the more frustrating because they came back from a 15-point, fourth quarter deficit to within three with 3:21 remaining. All the more frustrating because we had a 17-point lead in the first period. The last three games, we played well at some times and played terribly at others. 

Mr. Brown finally woke up and scored 41 points in this game, including 5-of-9 shooting for threes. OTOH, he also threw the ball away again in the closing minute to seal the other team's win. Pritchard got a double double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. I had my personal wish granted when they put Hugo González in as a starter, but he scored zero points in 18:23 minutes of play, one rebound, one steal, and two blocks. 

The key issue seems to be rebounding. The Celtics only got 28 rebounds all game, including a paltry 12 offensive rebounds, as opposed to the Pistons' 54 total and 18 on offense. If we pick up on the rebounds, get some more second shots and prevent the opponent from getting so many second shots, we're back in the W column, IMHO.

The 0-3 Celtics are tied with winless Brooklyn for last place in the Atlantic Division. From Detroit, the Celtics will travel all the south to New Orleans for a game tomorrow night against the winless Pelicans, so at least no matter what happens, one team or the other will finally get a win.