The Detroit Pistons played their best game of the season on Friday night in Boston's home opener, but still lost by double digits. Detroit is 0-3 to start the season for the second straight year.
Trailing by just seven at the half, the Pistons were outscored 36-21 in the third quarter wherein the Celtics were 15-of-21 shooting (Pistons were 9-of-19).
In the fourth quarter, the Pistons did a good job making the score look respectable in garbage time by outscoring the Celtics 9-0 in the final three and a half minutes. The real positive of the night was the Pistons outrebounded the Celtics after getting crushed on the boards in the first two games.
Greg Monroe was the leader for the Pistons with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds. Jermaine O'Neal led the Celtics with 19 points and seven rebounds.
The Pistons return to the hardwood tomorrow against the undefeated Indiana Pacers, who they lost to in the season opener.
For more on the Pistons, check out Detroit Bad Boys. For more on the Celtics, check out the appropriately named Celtics Blog.