Celtics Look to Close the Gap on First-Place Pistons in Crucial Showdown
At the midway point of the season, the Boston Celtics have already flipped the script on preseason expectations. With Jayson Tatum missing time early and a roster thinned by offseason departures-Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday all gone-many pegged Boston as a team likely to hover around the middle of the Eastern Conference pack. Instead, through 41 games, the Celtics are sitting comfortably in second place, trailing only Detroit by 4.5 games.
Now comes a golden opportunity: a head-to-head clash with the Pistons that could trim that deficit to 3.5 games. It’s the fourth meeting between these two teams this season, one of which came during the In-Season Tournament.
So far, Detroit has taken two of the first three, but Boston’s lone win-a 117-114 nail-biter in November-showcased what this team is capable of when firing on all cylinders. Jaylen Brown dropped 33 points that night, while Derrick White added 27 in a game that came down to the final possessions.
And that’s been the theme of this season series: close, physical, and competitive. None of the first three matchups have been decided by more than seven points. With the top seed in the East still very much in play, this isn’t just another regular-season game-it’s a statement opportunity for Boston to show they belong in the top tier.
Can Boston Keep the Heat from Deep?
If Boston’s recent performance against Atlanta is any indication, the Celtics are more than ready for the moment. They torched the Hawks by 26 points, riding a wave of red-hot shooting from beyond the arc.
The team connected on 22 of 52 three-point attempts, and Sam Hauser was the flamethrower at the center of it all. He hit 10 threes on 21 attempts, didn’t take a single shot inside the arc, and still finished with 30 points.
That kind of efficiency and volume is rare-and when Hauser gets going like that, Boston becomes a nightmare to guard.
Jaylen Brown added his own fireworks in that game, scoring 41 points in front of a home-state crowd in Georgia. It was a personal night for Brown, who had his high school jersey retired earlier in the day.
But sentimentality didn’t get in the way of production. He went 14-of-30 from the field, but more importantly, he got to the line 12 times and converted 11 of those attempts.
That’s been a point of emphasis for Brown-drawing contact and getting calls. Against Atlanta, he controlled the tempo and forced the defense to adjust.
Against a Detroit team that thrives on athleticism and offensive rhythm, Boston can’t afford to start slow. The Pistons are at their best when they’re pushing pace and getting downhill. For the Celtics, that means defensive discipline and offensive execution have to be sharp from the opening tip.
The Cunningham Conundrum: White and Gonzalez Get the Assignment
Slowing down Cade Cunningham is easier said than done. The Pistons’ star guard is having a breakout year-25.9 points, 9.6 assists, and six rebounds per game-and he’s doing it with a level of poise and control that’s vaulted him into the MVP conversation. He’s the engine behind Detroit’s offense, and when he’s cooking, the Pistons are tough to beat.
Boston’s defensive game plan will lean heavily on Derrick White and rookie Hugo Gonzalez to contain Cunningham. White is already one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders-smart, quick, and fearless. He’s had his share of battles with Cunningham, including a couple of highlight-reel moments that went both ways: a Cunningham dunk over White, and a White rejection at the rim.
Gonzalez, meanwhile, has quietly emerged as a defensive wildcard. Earlier this season, head coach Joe Mazzulla gave him the Cunningham assignment, and the rookie didn’t back down. With his size and length, Gonzalez brings a different look-one that could disrupt Cunningham’s rhythm just enough to make a difference.
Expect Boston to throw multiple looks at Cunningham throughout the game, mixing physicality with finesse, and relying on both White’s experience and Gonzalez’s versatility to keep him in check. If they can even slightly slow down Detroit’s centerpiece, it could swing the outcome of a game that has real implications for the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
A Statement Game in January
It’s only January, but this one feels bigger. Boston has a chance to not only trim Detroit’s lead but also send a clear message: they’re not just surviving a transitional year-they’re thriving in it. With Tatum working his way back and the supporting cast stepping up, the Celtics look like a team that’s finding its identity at the right time.
A win in Detroit wouldn’t just be a morale boost-it would be a momentum shift. And with the season series on the line, expect both teams to treat this one like it matters. Because it does.