Can the Celtics Knock Off the Pistons Again? Here’s What to Watch
The Detroit Pistons have looked every bit like a team with championship aspirations. At 20-5, they’re perched atop the Eastern Conference and playing with the kind of consistency that turns heads. But if there’s one team that’s proven they can disrupt Detroit’s rhythm, it’s the Boston Celtics.
Back in the NBA Cup group stage, Boston handed the Pistons a rare loss - a 117-114 thriller at TD Garden that snapped Detroit’s 13-game winning streak, which had tied a franchise record. That night, Derrick White poured in 27 points and Jaylen Brown added 33 in a game that came down to the wire. Cade Cunningham had a chance to send it to overtime but missed the third of three free throws in the closing seconds.
Now, the Pistons are back in Boston, riding a fresh three-game win streak after taking down the Hawks, Trail Blazers, and Bucks. Meanwhile, the Celtics are looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Milwaukee that ended their own five-game winning streak.
The stakes? High.
The energy? Even higher.
And the question is simple: Can Boston do it again?
The Battle on the Boards: Can Boston Hold Their Own?
If there’s one area where Detroit has consistently imposed its will, it’s on the glass. In both meetings this season - including the one Boston won - the Pistons dominated the rebounding battle.
In their 119-113 win, Detroit grabbed a staggering 55 boards to Boston’s 38, including 19 on the offensive end. Even in the loss, the Pistons still out-rebounded the Celtics 56-44 and pulled down 21 offensive rebounds.
That’s not just a stat - that’s a storyline.
Jalen Duren has been a force inside. He hauled in 18 rebounds in the first meeting and followed that up with 16 in the second. He’s averaging 11.3 boards per game this season and has anchored Detroit’s rebounding efforts, but he’s not doing it alone.
Rookie Ausar Thompson has been relentless on the glass as well, pulling down 12 rebounds in the first matchup and eight in the second. His athleticism and nose for the ball make him a constant threat around the rim - especially when it comes to creating second-chance opportunities.
And it doesn’t stop there. Cade Cunningham, the Pistons’ lead guard, is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game himself.
That speaks to how active Detroit is across all five positions. They rebound as a unit, and that’s a problem for a Celtics team that often leans into smaller lineups.
Boston doesn’t necessarily need to win the rebounding battle to win the game - they’ve already proven that - but they do need to limit the damage. Giving up 20+ offensive rebounds again could be playing with fire.
Cade Cunningham: The Matchup That Could Decide the Game
Cade Cunningham is making a serious case for himself in the early MVP conversation. He’s averaging 26.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. His three-point shooting (30.7%) hasn’t been elite, but he’s getting to his spots and controlling the game with poise and precision.
Against the Celtics, he’s been a handful. In Detroit’s win, he dropped 25 points and dished out eight assists.
In the rematch - the one Boston won - he exploded for 42 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. That’s the kind of production that can tilt a game, even on the road.
Derrick White has drawn the Cunningham assignment for much of their time on the floor together, and he’ll likely be the primary defender again. But Boston has options, and they’ll need all of them.
Jordan Walsh has been carving out a role with his length and energy on defense, and he could be a factor in slowing Cunningham down. Rookie Hugo Gonzalez also showed flashes in the first meeting, holding Cunningham to just three points on 1-of-5 shooting during his time on the floor.
The key for Boston? Keep size and physicality on Cunningham.
He’s too good at using his frame to bully smaller defenders, so the Celtics can’t afford to get caught in switches that leave someone like Payton Pritchard on an island. Whether it’s White, Walsh, Gonzalez, or even Jaylen Brown, Boston needs to keep a strong, disciplined defender in front of him at all times.
What It All Comes Down To
Boston has already shown they can beat this Detroit team - even when the Pistons are playing well and rebounding like maniacs. But doing it twice? That’s a different challenge.
The Celtics will need to bring effort on the boards, stay disciplined in their defensive matchups, and find ways to make life harder for Cunningham, who’s been nothing short of electric this season.
TD Garden will be loud. The stakes are real. And if Boston wants to show they belong in the conversation with the East’s elite, there’s no better time to make that statement than now - against the team sitting at the top.