Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons 11/18/12: Video Highlights and Recap
Greg Monroe's sixth double-double of the season and a balanced scoring attack led the Detroit Pistons to their first home win of the season on Sunday night as the Pistons crushed the Boston Celtics, 102-83, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
The Celtics, who were playing their fourth game in five nights, held a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter but couldn't find their shot in the second, shooting 28 percent from the field (5-of-18) and finding themselves trailing 48-43 at halftime.
The break did little to help their shooting woes, as the Celtics struggled again in the third quarter, shooting 31 percent from the field (5-of-16) as the Pistons opened up a 14-point lead at the end of the quarter, 71-57, a lead they would never surrender.
Detroit shot 54 percent from the field while the Celtics shot 45 percent on the night.
Monroe led all scorers with 20 points (8-of-11 from the field) and 13 rebounds, one of six Pistons to reach double digits.
One day after recording the first double-double of his career, Jared Sullinger led the Celtics with 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Paul Pierce (13 points) and Jason Terry (five points) shot a combined 6-of-19 from the floor, including 1-of-9 from behind the arc.
Pierce landed awkwardly on a drive to the hoop early in the fourth quarter and landed awkwardly. He left the game and did not return.
Rajon Rondo, who dished 20 assists in his first game back from an ankle injury, fed Sullinger for a 21-foot jump shot with less than a minute remaining to extend his streak of double-digit assists, as ESPN Stats and Info notes:
"It took until the final minute, but #Celtics Rajon Rondo was able to extend his streak to 34 straight games with at least 10 assists.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 19, 2012"
Rondo accounted for 10 of the Celtics' 12 assists on the night.
Detroit improves to 2-9 on the season while Boston falls to 6-5.
For the complete box score, check NBA.com.
Player of the Game: Greg Monroe, C, Detroit Pistons
Monroe seems to fly under the radar in Detroit, but the former Georgetown star continues to put together solid games in the middle for the Pistons
With Kevin Garnett matched up on Andre Drummond for much of the game, Monroe found success against whoever the Celtics threw at him, whether it be Garnett, Sullinger, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass or Chris Wilcox.
It was Monroe's fourth 20-point game of the season and second in a row. He's recorded double-digit scoring totals in all but one game thus far in 2012.
Up Next For Celtics
Boston heads home for a tough two-game homestand against the San Antonio Spurs (7-2) on Wednesday and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-3) on Friday before hitting the road for a game against the Orlando Magic (3-6) on Sunday.
Up Next For Pistons
Detroit, who has now won two of its last three games, bounces around for a bit. They head to Florida for a meeting with the Orlando Magic (3-6) on Wednesday before coming back home for a short two-game homestand against the Toronto Raptors (3-7) on Friday and New York Knicks (7-1) on Sunday.
