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Detroit Pistons (4-1) at Boston Celtics (4-2)
Tuesday October 30, 2018
7:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #7, Home Game #3
TV: NBCSB, FSD, NBA-LP 754(DTV), 755(xfinity)
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 105.1 FM
TD GardenProbable Starters PG: Kyrie Irving
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Gordon Hayward
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Al Horford
Celtics ReservesTerry Rozier
Marcus Smart
Marcus Morris
Guerschon Yabusele
Semi Ojeleye
Robert Williams
Brad Wanamaker
InjuriesJabari Bird
Aron Baynes (possible)
Daniel Theis
Two Way PlayersWalt Lemon, Jr.
P. J. Dozier
Head CoachBrad Stevens
Probable Starters PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Reggie Bullock
SF: Stanley Johnson
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Andre Drummond
Pistons ReservesBruce Brown
Jose Calderon
Henry Ellenson
Langston Galloway
Zaza Pachulia
Ish Smith
Khyri Thomas
John Leuer
Injuries Luke Kennard
Two Way Players Zach Lofton
Keenan Evans
Head Coach Dwane Casey
Game Notes The Celtics return home after two wins on the road to complete a home and home against the Detroit Pistons. Boston dominated Detroit, 109-89 at the Little Caesars Arena last Saturday night. The Celtics took an early lead, expanded it and cruised with their lead eventually booming to 29 points before the bench units came out to bring it to the final score.
Daniel Theis had a tremendous game, one of his best as a Celtic, but, unfortunately had a tear in his plantar fascia and will be out indefinitely. Aron Baynes may make it back tonight to help the Celtics try to once again shut down the Pistons' formidable front line. And if not, maybe rookie Robert Williams will see his first extended time of the year. In limited minutes on Saturday night, Williams showed his unlimited potential and why the Celtics drafted him.
On Saturday night, Coach Stevens made the decision to have Jaylen Brown guard Blake Griffin and Jaylen did a tremendous job holding Griffin to 2-13 shooting for 7 points and 6 rebounds...26 points and 5 rebounds less than Blake's season averages. Brown also finally broke out of his early season funk leading the Celtics with 19 points.
To win, Boston will once again have to limit Griffin and gang rebound as the Celtics won the battle of the boards and limited Griffin and Drummond to a combined 14 rebounds below their season averages. The Celtics offense continued to build off their exceptional 2nd half against Oklahoma City and showed just how dynamic it can be when they hit their wide open shots. Even with Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Kyrie Irving having off shooting nights, the Celtics still shot 45% from the field and 41% from the three point line.
Something else that needs to be mentioned, and hopefully be one of the biggest reasons for the Celtics' success this year, was the extraordinary performance from the bench. Morris, who has shined this year, combined with Terry Rozier and Daniel Theis to score 49 points between them and Marcus Smart chipped in with 5 points and 9 assists and his usual tenacious defense.
Here's hoping to see a continued building of offensive chemistry and that Boston brings their league best defense to the Garden tonight and send the crowd home happy with another win.