Boston Celtics get wholesome(ish), deal with enterprise towards Detroit Pistons 127-109

Only one evening after taking the Milwaukee Bucks to extra time whereas absent 4 of their starters, the Boston Celtics returned to the court docket somewhat bit more healthy. Jayson Tatum, Marcus Sensible and Al Horford returned to the lineup, and the Celtics entered the All-Star break with a win, downing the Detroit Pistons 127-109.

Tatum entered the All-Star Break on a robust be aware, pacing the crew with a 38-9-7 stat line (six made threes). Supporting him was a hyper-efficient efficiency from Brogdon, who added 25 factors on 10-of-15 taking pictures. For the Pistons, Bojan Bogdanovic scored 28 factors on 12-of-17 taking pictures and Isaiah Stewart knocked in 4 three-pointers, however a robust third quarter effort wasn’t sufficient to place an upset into play.

Within the first half, the distinction between these groups was pretty easy: one crew made their threes, one crew didn’t. Whereas the Pistons scuffled from vary, taking pictures simply 5-of-16, the Celtics couldn’t miss. As a crew, they linked on 50% of their three-point makes an attempt (12-of-24), together with 4 from Brogdon, who led the crew with 18 factors on the break. They jumped on Detroit early and held down the accelerator for the complete half, main 66-51 on the halftime break.

Sensible made his return to the Boston lineup after an 11-game absence with a bone bruise in his ankle, and he made his presence identified in the one approach he is aware of how. He was in all places on each ends of the court docket, orchestrating the Celtics’ offense whereas wrecking Detroit’s. For the sport, he posted a fully ludicrous — and very Marcus Sensible-like — stat line of 9 factors, seven rebounds, six assists and 6 steals.

Consistent with custom, as play resumed, the Pistons inched themselves again into competitiveness. After a pair fast Celtics baskets to open the third quarter, Detroit went on a 15-6 run to chop the Boston lead again all the way down to 10 factors and immediate a timeout from Joe Mazzulla. Regardless of the stellar play of Tatum, the Pistons continued to achieve floor, and a few frustration appeared to seep into the Celtics’ sport. A unfastened ball foul on Luke Kornet led to free throws for the Pistons that lower the Boston result in 5 with below three minutes remaining within the third.

Tatum wouldn’t be denied, nevertheless. He scored 24 factors within the third quarter, and his three-point tirade rapidly reestablished the Celtics’ management on the sport. The Celtics led 97-89 on the finish of the third quarter, and restored their result in double figures as play resumed within the fourth. The Pistons wouldn’t draw inside single-digits once more, and the Celtics entered the break with a document of 42-17.

Subsequent up, the Celtics will take pleasure in a mini-vacation, with everybody (Tatum however) taking per week off throughout the NBA’s All-Star Break. They’ll be again on February 23 in Indiana for a 7 PM matchup with the Pacers on NBC Sports activities Boston.