Can the Celtics beat Detroit again?
The Detroit Pistons (20-5) sit atop the Eastern Conference and have shown the consistency of a legitimate contender. A few weeks ago, however, Boston (15-10) pulled off a mild upset, defeating Detroit 117-114 at TD Garden during the NBA Cup group phase.
The Pistons entered that night riding a 13-game winning streak, tied for the longest in franchise history. Derrick White scored 27 points and Jaylen Brown added 33 as the Celtics snapped Detroit’s run. Detroit had
a chance to force overtime late, but Cade Cunningham missed the third of three free throws.
This time, the Pistons return to TD Garden riding a three-game winning streak after beating the Hawks, Trail Blazers, and Bucks. Boston is coming off a Thursday night loss in Milwaukee that snapped its five-game winning streak. Revenge, meet Redemption.
Can Boston limit the Pistons on the glass?
Detroit has controlled the boards in both meetings this season.
In the Pistons’ 119-113 win, they outrebounded Boston 55-38, including 19 offensive rebounds. Even in the Celtics’ win, Detroit won the rebounding battle 56-44 and grabbed 21 offensive boards.
Jalen Duren has been a major factor, pulling down 18 rebounds in the first meeting and 16 in the second. He averages 11.3 rebounds per game and leads Detroit on the glass, but he’s far from the only concern.
Ausar Thompson grabbed 12 rebounds in the first matchup and eight in the second. His athleticism makes him especially dangerous around the rim, and keeping him out of the paint will be key to limiting second-chance opportunities.
Boston often plays small, but Detroit rebounds as a team. Cunningham is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game, underscoring how active the Pistons are across the lineup.
While Boston has already beaten Detroit despite losing the rebounding battle, limiting second-chance points will be critical to repeating that result.
Will Boston be able to stop Cunningham?
Cunningham is playing at an All-NBA level and has worked his way into early MVP conversations. The former Oklahoma State guard is averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.7% from 3-point range.
Against Boston, Cunningham has posted a 25-point, eight-assist performance in Detroit’s win and followed it up with 42 points, eight rebounds and five assists in last month’s loss.
Derrick White has spent plenty of time guarding Cunningham and figures to see that matchup again. However, with Jordan Walsh’s growing defensive impact, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Walsh take on that assignment early.
Rookie Hugo Gonzalez also impressed defensively in the first meeting, holding Cunningham to three points on 1-of-5 shooting during his minutes.
Cunningham does a good job using his size against smaller defenders, so Boston will need to keep bigger, physical options — Walsh, White, Gonzalez or Jaylen Brown — matched up with him whenever possible and avoid switches that leave Payton Pritchard defending him in space.
