Two of the teams with the most contradictory streaks in the entire league were facing each other. The nine consecutive victories with which the Boston Celtics entered the game contrasted with the eight consecutive losses of the Detroit Pistons. However, fate was capricious and a great fourth quarter by Jerami Grant gave the visitors victory.
Although the Pistons have the worst record in the NBA, they competed in the game from the first minute. The Celtics, who paid for the effort of having played the night before in Philadelphia, could not extend the distance to double digits throughout the game. Los Jays The locals were once again the main offensive resource: Jaylen Brown once again vindicated himself with a solid performance of 31 points and 6 assists. Jayson Tatum was more discreet: 22 points and 5 assists.
Meanwhile, the Pistons managed to break up the solid defense that the Bostonians had shown in the last few weeks of competition. First it was Saddiq Bey, who started the match totally plugged in and supported his team in the worst moments. In the final minutes, the figure of the man of the match emerged: Jerami Grant. The Pistons star scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a deficit of up to eight points and decided the balance of the game.
In the last minute everything was still to be decided, but the Pistons had more success in the last few possessions. Grant put his team up a point with seconds left and the Celtics had a chance to win the game at the hands of Tatum. The newly named All-Star for the third time in his career chose, once again, a mid-range shot instead of going for penetration. His game-winning shot attempt hit the TD Garden rim.
A necessary victory
Pistons coach Dwane Casey spoke after the game about the importance of his team’s reaction just before the All-Star game. “We needed it for our spirits. But this does not change our season, we still have a lot of work to do. We have to carry this attitude and feeling of connection to the last 25 games, “said the coach.
Jaylen Brown spoke for the Celtics and recognized the merits that their rivals had done to win. “They were the team that most deserved it tonight,” he declared. In addition, the Celtics player wanted to add that this defeat “leaves a bad taste in the mouth before the break.” Brown was convinced that the Celtics had to “have found a way to win the game.”
(Photograph by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
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