Tobias Harris scored 25 factors and the host Detroit Pistons squeaked out a 104-103 win over the Boston Celtics in a showdown of the Jap Convention’s prime groups on Monday.
Jalen Duren equipped 18 factors and 9 rebounds, whereas Cade Cunningham — named an All-Star starter earlier within the day — had 16 factors and 14 assists. Duncan Robinson added 15 factors, all on 3-pointers.
Jaylen Brown, additionally chosen as an All-Star starter, had 32 factors and 11 rebounds however missed a possible profitable shot on Boston’s closing possession. Payton Pritchard had 17 factors and Sam Hauser added 16 factors.
The Pistons clinched the four-game season collection, 3-1, nevertheless it wasn’t simple.
Harris made a pull-up jumper within the closing minute of the third quarter to present the Pistons an 84-82 lead heading into the fourth.
Jaden Ivey’s 3-pointer with 8:41 left made it 91-87 in Detroit’s favor. Cunningham arrange a Robinson 3-pointer for a 96-91 lead. Boston scored the subsequent six factors, capped by a Brown layup, to regain the lead. Harris then drained a 3-pointer for a 99-97 Pistons lead.
Harris drained a nook 3-pointer with 1:37 left for a 104-99 benefit.
Brown then scored on back-to-back possessions to shut the hole to at least one. The Pistons got here up empty on their subsequent journey. After a timeout, Brown missed a fadeaway jumper as the ultimate buzzer sounded.
Cunningham made solely certainly one of seven area purpose makes an attempt within the first half however the Pistons got here away with a 59-51 halftime benefit. Harris led the Pistons’ offense with 13 factors whereas Brown carried Boston, which shot simply 33.3%, with 19 factors.
Boston used a 9-0 spurt early within the third to tug inside a degree. Hauser hit a pair of 3-pointers throughout that span. A pair of Pritchard free throws gave the Celtics a 68-67 edge.
Neither facet led by greater than three factors the remainder of the quarter.
–Subject Degree Media

