Gameday Preview: Celtics Square up With Pistons
Photo by Nic Antaya | Getty Images
The Celtics look to take on the crafty Detroit Pistons on the 2nd night of their back to back tonight, 8PM EST tipoff. While sitting at 6-19, Detroit is still a dangerous team that you need to come prepared for, with several good shooters capable of getting hot quickly. Boston has learned this lesson previously, and the team are currently sitting at 1-1 on the season so far against one another. Both of their wins came by 3 points or less.
Detroit is a strange team this season, having beaten several top teams in their 6 wins in 25 games. They haven’t managed to get a win-streak going, and they’re absolutely putrid on the road. They’re still a team you have to defend, and even on the road, they can be a big problem. I remember going to a game last season where Detroit came to the Garden and absolutely scorched Boston, and Doumbouya/Mykhailyuk/Morris/Rose combined for 90 of Detroit’s points in a 116-103 win. While Rose was recently traded away and Morris is in LA, Doumbouya and Mykhailyuk are key pieces for the Piston’s future. Boston will need to come prepared and ready for them to be aggressive from deep, and unfortunately, they’ll be a bit shorthanded.
Boston will be without Walker (as expected due to the back-to-back games) and Rob Williams, who missed the last game as well with hip soreness. Langford and Smart are expected as well, but it will be interesting to see how Boston plans to scheme against Jerami Grant, who’s having a stellar season so far after signing in Detroit this offseason. Perhaps we will see Semi Ojeleye get minutes again in a starting role, especially after he and Payton Pritchard shot the lights out against Toronto. We’ll see you later for pregame coverage, and happy Friday!
Make sure to tune in to our live pregame show, the Banner Town Build Up, 30 minutes before the game on YouTube and Twitter @GuyBostonSports. The Celtics tip-off against the Pistons at 8:00 PM EST on NBC Sports Boston.
