celtics vs pistons: Pistons complete 23-0 run to win 121-113 in Detroit

The Detroit Pistons erased a 22‑point deficit to beat the Boston Celtics 121‑113 on Tuesday afternoon at Little Caesars Arena. A decisive 23‑0 fourth‑quarter run turned what looked like a loss into a dramatic season‑opening victory.

Game summary

Boston opened the contest with a narrow 28‑27 lead after the first quarter, but the Celtics pulled ahead in the second, outscoring Detroit 30‑18 to head into halftime up 58‑45. The third quarter saw the lead swell to 22 points as Paul George kept the Celtics scoring. Detroit trimmed the gap to 88‑82 before the final period, then unleashed a 23‑0 run, outscoring Boston 39‑25 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Key performances

Detroit: Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points, eight assists, four rebounds and a perfect free‑throw record. Jalen Duren matched Cunningham’s 22 points while pulling down nine rebounds and shooting 8‑for‑13 from the field. Duncan Robinson added 21 points, hitting five of nine three‑pointers. Javonte Green surprised off the bench with 19 points on 5‑for‑8 shooting from deep and a game‑high plus‑21 rating. Ausar Thompson contributed an all‑around 11‑point, 11‑rebound, five‑assist line.

Boston: Paul George delivered a spectacular 38‑point performance, shooting 12‑for‑21 overall and 7‑for‑12 from three. Jayson Tatum struggled, scoring only 13 points on 6‑for‑23 shooting and missing all seven three‑point attempts, though he added 11 assists. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard each tallied 17 points, while Sam Hauser contributed 11 off the bench.

ausar thompson's contribution

Rookie Ausar Thompson posted a solid all‑around effort, recording 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. His energy on the boards helped Detroit maintain possession during the comeback stretch.

boston celtics lineup

The Celtics fielded a starting five that featured Paul George, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. Despite the strong start, the lineup could not withstand Detroit’s late surge.

celtics score and season implications

Boston’s 113 points marked a respectable offensive output, but the loss highlighted defensive lapses in the final quarter. The Pistons’ comeback sends a clear message that their 60‑win campaign from last season was no fluke, and they enter the NBA season with confidence.

For a deeper look at Detroit’s performance, see the related analysis Detroit Pistons Rally Past Boston Despite Historic Paul George Debut.

Sources: Yahoo Sports, The New York Times, CelticsBlog.