Boston Celtics Fall in Overtime, Drop 3rd Straight
After a tough couple of losses on the road last week, the Boston Celtics were likely looking forward to returning home on Sunday night.
It took overtime, but the Pistons had other ideas in mind as they defeated the Celtics 105-97 in overtime on Sunday night.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 5 points in overtime as the Celtics never found their footing in the extra period as they were outscored
Evan Turner had 23 points and 8 assists to pace the Celtics. Jae Crowder, back in the starting lineup, added 19 points.
More from Boston Celtics
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Blake Griffin Angling Hard to Re-Sign With Celtics
- Game-by-Game Predictions for the Celtics’ 2023-24 In-Season Tournament Schedule
- Kristaps Porzingis’ Foot Injury is a Problem Despite Celtics’ Optimism
- Marcus Smart, Grant Williams and Ime Udoka all Returning to Boston on 2023-24 Schedule
A back and forth start to the game saw the Celtics trailing 26-23 after the first quarter. There were five ties and six lead changes as neither team gave way, even joining together in going over three minutes without a field goal.
An early dose of Brandon Bass kept the Celtics afloat, as he scored 9 points in the first quarter.
A mix of solid defense and horrid shooting kept both teams running neck-and-neck for most of the second quarter. The Pistons shot only 28.6% (6-21) in the quarter while the Celtics were only slightly better at 32% (9-28).
Luckily for the Celtics, Crowder did his best Isaiah Thomas impression by scoring the Celtics last 8 points of the quarter and Boston led at the half 47-41.
Crowder had 12 points in the half, all in the second quarter. Gerald Wallace, in 8 minutes of first-half play, had 6 rebounds as he continues to contribute when called upon.
Thanks to timely 3-pt shooting (4 of 6 in the quarter) and Turner’s 10 points, the Celtics lead would grow to as big as ten. It also helped that Coach Brad Stevens employed the “Hack-an-Andre” strategy by having his team continually foul the Pistons Andre Drummond. Drummond attempted 11 free throws in the quarter, connecting on only two of them.
Still, the Celtics allowed the Pistons to hang around and led by only six, 69-63, to start the fourth.
The Pistons took a 79-78 lead with 5:48 remaining in the 4th, but Avery Bradley hit a 3-pointer to give it back to the Celtics. From there it was back and forth, with each team missing potential game-winners in the final 25 seconds of regulation.
Tayshaun Prince hit two huge 3’s for the Pistons in the quarter.
Caldwell-Pope led the Pistons with 27 points and Drummund had 18 points and 22 rebounds.
The Celtics, who were down Marcus Smart (1-game suspension) hope to find their winning ways again when they travel to face the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.