Isaiah Thomas Sizzles in Boston Celtics Victory
Layups. Jump shots. Three pointers. Free throws.
Isaiah Thomas nailed them all as he scored a season-high 34 points in leading the Boston Celtics to a 113-103 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
Thomas scored 23 points in the second half in an efficient and workmanlike performance. He was 10-17 from the field, including 4-8 from beyond the arc and 10-11 from the free throw line. For good measure, he added 3 rebounds while dishing out 6 assists.
Looking fully recovered from the injuries he was dealt in March, Thomas led a Celtics bench that outscored the Pistons bench 73-31 as the Celtics, aside from a few runs by the Pistons, cruised to victory.
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The Celtics led 55-47 at the half thanks in part to a 22-2 run to end the first quarter. Trailing 14-8 early, Coach Brad Stevens inserted four bench players and the Celtics responded with a renewed defensive effort that contributed to the run.
The Celtics also had a high success rate at the free throw line in the first half, converting on all 18 attempts.
Thomas had 11 points in the first half, while starter Brandon Bass scored 10, including 6-6 from the line.
Detroit managed to keep within striking distance by shooting 76% (13-17) in the second quarter and outscoring Boston in the paint, 24-10.
Greg Monroe led the Pistons with 12 points at halftime.
Poor shooting, four turnovers, and weak post defense by the Celtics let the Pistons fight back into the game and the Celtics lead was suddenly down to 1.
Then Thomas took control.
Thomas made the game look easy as he scored 13 points in the quarter while continuously pressing the action. By getting his teammates involved, the Celtics extended the lead to 91-74 as the third quarter horn sounded.
The Pistons were able to whittle the Celtics lead down to eight with about two minutes to play, but the Celtics were able to get key defensive stops and knock down their free throws to win the game.
The Celtics only missed one free throw (33-34) and shot 45% (36-80) from the field.
Bass had 18 for the Celtics, while Jae Crowder scored 17 off the bench.
The Pistons, despite shooting 54% (45-84) and dominating the paint, were never able to find an answer for Thomas and the other Celtics. Andre Drummond scored 22 points and had 14 rebounds to lead the Pistons. Reggie Jackson had 21 points and 15 assists and Monroe, in his first game action after missing the last 11, finished with 19 points.
The Celtics victory was their fifth in a row on the road and moved them into a seventh place tie with the Brooklyn Nets. Both teams are one game ahead of the Miami Heat as the race for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference heats up.
Next up for the Celtics are two games against the Cavs. The first is Friday at Cleveland and then Sunday at Boston.