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C's 109, Pistons 102: Boston works overtime for much-needed win

By Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com

BOSTON -- Beggars can't be choosers, so the Boston Celtics will take the victory.

The Celtics snapped a five-game losing streak on Wednesday night after being out-awfuled by a Detroit Pistons squad that dropped their 10th straight. Despite kicking away an 11-point lead over the final 3:28 of regulation, the Celtics scored the first eight points of overtime and emerged with a 109-102 triumph at TD Garden.

The win will come with an asterisk given how poor the Pistons are. Detroit shot 36.3 percent overall (37 of 102) and still managed to hang around for most of the night before being the latest to enjoy a fourth-quarter rally against Boston.

Alas, a win is a win is a win. And the Celtics so desperately needed a victory.

Maybe the biggest positive for Boston: Second-year center Kelly Olynyk finally got himself going a bit. Olynyk posted 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting with seven rebounds and three assists over 26 minutes. Seven of those points came in the fourth quarter as Boston opened an 11-point lead with 7 ½ minutes to play.

Jeff Green scored a game-high 32 points on 8-of-22 shooting, which included six 3-pointers. Greg Monroe scored a team-high 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting with seven rebounds to pace the Pistons.

• First-half bricks: The Celtics and Pistons combined to shoot 33.7 percent in the first half (31 of 92). Boston led by as much as 10 and was still out front 7 with 1:26 to play in the half, but Detroit scored eight points in 50 seconds and took a 43-42 lead into the intermission.

• Rondo Report: Playing the second night of a back-to-back for the first time since returning from an ACL tear, Rondo finished with 2 points, 8 assists, and 3 rebounds over 34 minutes. He was 1-of-6 shooting and had four turnovers. After a head-shaking giveaway late in the game aided Detroit's rally, Rondo spent time on the bench in the final minute.

• Smart's return: Rookie guard Marcus Smart returned from a left ankle injury that forced him to miss 10 games. Smart played only one five-minute shift in the second quarter, missing all three shots he took, but did hand out two assists. He spent most of the night pedaling on an exercise bike near the Celtics' bench while being eased back into game action.

• Loose balls: Even with Smart's return, Stevens loosened up his rotation and had an entire five-man sub unit on the floor late in the first quarter. The Celtics used 11 players overall. ... Rookie James Young was a healthy DNP. ... With Smart back, rookie Dwight Powell joined Vitor Faverani on the inactive list.

• What it means: The Celtics improved to 5-11, securing their first non-76ers win since Nov. 8. It's rivalry night when the Los Angeles Lakers visit on Friday evening. The Pistons fell to 3-16. Poor Stan Van Gundy.
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5 THINGS WE LEARNED IN THE CELTICS OVERTIME VICTORY OVER THE PISTONS

WEEI

By Julian Edlow  

The Celtics entered Wednesday’s meeting with the Pistons at the TD Garden as losers of eight of their last nine games. Not a good look to begin with, but even worse when you factor in that the C’s only win during the steak came against the winless 76ers. Detroit came into the game in Boston with a record of 3-15, so if there was a time for the Celtics to get back on track, this was it.
It took overtime to get the job done, but Boston finally got its victory, 109-102. Caron Butler hit a 3-pointer with just 14 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie it up at 88 apiece. The Celtics then failed to convert on the final possesion of regulation as Andre Drummond swatted away Jeff Green‘s layup attempt at what seemed to be its highest point.

The C’s put forward a well-rounded effort despite an off night from Rajon Rondo, but Green and Kelly Olynyk were the two stars. Green had 18 points through the first three quarters, then Olynyk took over with seven quick points to begin the fourth. Green finished with a game-high 32 points, netting six 3-pointers on the night. Olynyk had 20 points of his own, while also putting forward an uncharacteristic three blocks. Jared Sullinger was the only other Celtic in double figures, as he hit two big 3-pointers (and another deep 2-pointer) in the overtime en route to his 14 points.

RAJON RONDO NEEDS TO PLAY MORE MINUTES AND FIND WAYS TO STAY ON THE FLOOR LATE IN GAMES

Rondo has been playing seven minutes per quarter pretty consistently. Despite some questions about his late game antics and ability to close out games, the Celtics are a much better team (at least offensively) when he is on the floor. Rondo had played a mere 19 minutes entering the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game. He wasn’t having anywhere close to his best game, but in his defense, it’s pretty hard to find a good rhythm when playing such few minutes.

A good example of this was when Stevens removed Rondo from the lineup with six minutes remaining in the game, seemingly without reason since Rondo had played only 24 minutes to that point. Rondo wound up scoring just two points for the second night in a row, this time with just three boards and eight assists. He played 34 minutes, but committed a huge turnover with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter, and Stevens ended up benching him for the Celtics‘ second to last possession of regulation.

The benching ended up being a big deal. Stevens sat Rondo on another important possession in overtime, likely to hide Rondo from being sent to the free throw line (where he shoots an atrocious 30 percent on the season). Rondo also seemed to hide from the ball on possessions leading up the the second benching, which could have been reason for Stevens to sit him down.

Long story short: Rondo absolutely needs to fix his free throw shooting problem. The fact that an All-Star point guard needs to be bench late in games due to foul shooting is unheard of.

MARCUS SMART RETURNED AFTER MISSING 10 GAMES WITH A SPRAINED ANKLE

However, it ended up not being much of a return. Brad Stevens waited until the 10:38 mark of the second quarter to insert Smart into the game. He certainly took his time getting Smart out there as Phil Pressey even saw some unexpected time in the first frame (more on Pressey later).

When Smart did see the floor, he seemed timid, or at least not the ferocious defender we grew used to seeing in the rookie’s first five games (plus preseason). He played just under five minutes in his first shift, missing all three of his attempts from the field. His first shift ended up being his only shift, though. Smart didn’t see the court again.

PHIL PRESSEY EARNED MINUTES OVER MARCUS SMART

Smart’s recovery was probably part of the issue, but Pressey played a lot in this game in favor of Smart. In nine first half minutes, Pressey connected on both of his field goal attempts for five points to go along with three rebounds and a pair of assists.

Pressey even saw some fourth quarter minutes in place of Rondo during crunch time. Stevens clearly has trust in his second-year point guard right now. By game’s end, Pressey totaled seven points, three rebounds and four assists. Nothing too flashy in the box score, but he had a strong impact on the game in his 18 minutes (which were two minutes short of his season-high).

STOPPING ANDRE DRUMMOND WAS TOO TALL A TASK

The Celtics frontline has been undersized all season. Stevens tried to get more physical and defensive minded by inserting Tyler Zeller into the starting lineup to stop guys like Drummond. It didn’t work.

Drummond is an athletic freak that any NBA big would have trouble facing off with, but the Celtics had an even tougher time. Drummond went for 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the first quarter alone, while also ripping down 6 rebounds and swatting a shot.

Drummond was a beast through out the entire game, finishing multiple difficult ally-oops around the rim. He has 27 points and 14 rebounds in his 41 minutes played, shooting 12-for-18 overall. Drummond also had four steals and five blocks, include the block that prevented Green from winning the game in regulation for the Celtics. Frankly, Drummond is the exact type of player that the Celtics need to add.

THE CELTICS FINALLY FINISHED A GAME

Repeat: The Celtics finally finished a game. There’s not much more to say about it, other than that this was an important win for a team having major issues with closing out games. At times it felt like we would never see the Celtics figure out how to wrap up a win again. It took playing opposite the now 3-16 Pistons to find that win, and as ugly as the overtime victory was, the C’s got it. Let’s see if this can give them any momentum going forward, or if they fall back into their losing ways when Kobe Bryant and the Lakers come to town on Friday night.
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Celtics outlast Pistons in overtime, 109-102

A. SHERROD BLAKLEY

BOSTON — From the very outset, things were different for the Boston Celtics. There was no ginormous lead in the first half for them to squander away.

And the end result?

Yeah, that was a bit of a change for Boston as well as the Celtics escaped with a 109-102 overtime win.

Jeff Green led all scorers with 32 points and five rebounds. Boston also go t a big game from Kelly Olynyk (20 points, seven rebounds) off the bench.

But the game's difference-maker was Jared Sullinger, whose back-to-back baskets late in overtime would prove to be huge in Boston's victory. He finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.

With the win, Boston (5-11) snapped a five-game losing streak while extending the Pistons' misery to 10 straight losses.

Detroit came into the game with a dominant 1-2 punch in the frontcourt with Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe.

Even though they didn't start together, that didn't take away from their overall dominance around the basket.

Monroe had 29 points off the bench along with seven rebounds. And Drummond, a former big man at UConn, had 27 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots - one of which was a driving lay-up attempt by Green near the end of the fourth quarter that forced overtime.

Boston jumped on the Pistons in the overtime period with an 8-0 run. But the Pistons had been crushing Detroit with Drummond and Monroe. That inside game chipped away at Boston's lead which was down to just three after a 3-pointer by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with 19.2 seconds remaining in overtime.

After a Celtics time-out, Green was fouled with 13.1 seconds to play. Green, who had made his eight previous free throw attempts,

Here are a few more keys to Boston's victory on Wednesday.

WHAT WORKED

Boston's bench came up with big plays most of the game. Of course there was Kelly Olynyk's 20-point, 7-rebound performance. But just as significant was the play of Brandon Bass who had nine points and five rebounds, in addition to doing a decent job defensively on Detroit's big man tandem of Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.

WHAT DIDN'T WORK

Shots came in bunches for the Celtics which has been their thing all season, but the usually efficient shooting was nowhere to be found. For the game, Boston shot just 39.8 percent from the field.

KEY PLAY/STRETCH

In overtime, Kelly Olynyk made a lay-up that extended Boston's lead to 103-94. Not only was it yet another demoralizing play by the Celtics against the Pistons, but it would eventually become the game-winning basket.

UP NEXT: The Celtics will be off on Thursday and return to action on Friday to play longtime rival, the Los Angeles Lakers.


112288

SIMPLE..........GET MONROE!

He is the only decent center in free agency that the Celtics have a legit shot at signing.

You say he is not a rim protector????? As if we have one now, and tons in the free agent market!!!

 There are many ways to help in protecting the rim and it is not up to just 1 guy...your center to do it.........there are 4 other guys ...........guards especially that you cannot allow the penetration of the paint.

But boy can he score and that would really open the whole court up offensively for other Celtic players.......collapse on Monroe in the paint.....kick it out to an open man..........you play Monroe even up in the paint....he'll burn you!

Want to have some fun and make the playoffs and make some noise....sign the guy Danny!

112288

112288

It's not just that Monroe isn't a rim protector; he's an all-around poor defender.

Don't base your future on seeing Monroe in this one game. News alert: he had 28 points in this game, but he's averaging less than half that on the season.

Outside

For one thing, we need to stabilize the the center position.  Currently we have a revolving door policy of whoever is playing best at the moment is going to play center.  We need consistency just as we have at point guard with Rondo.

Given where the team is in its rebuilding phase and having the choice of getting a free agent to fill a need verses trading good young assets or potential assets in the form of draft choices to fill the need, I chose the former verses the latter.

Everyone will be on the Omer Asik band wagon but I am on the record of not being a big fan of Asik who will be a free agent come 2015. He is slow and if you look at his stats he is not a shot blocker.....for his career he averages .9 blocks......and 7.2 rebounds....and 5.6 points a game

Monroe is 6'11' and mobile - can run the floor, he has a great low post game and if you throw out his rookie year he averages 15.5 pts. and 9.5 rebounds a game and .6 blocks a game and he is young - 25 in June 2015.

I will also add, I think Monroe is getting a bad knock that he is a bad defender/rim protector.  I can count on one hand the number of rim protectors in the NBA..........they are not on every street corner.

Like anything else, perhaps he was not taught the right way by the Detroit coaching staff to be a defender/rim protector, given the coaching turnovers and turmoil in Detroit in recent years.

We can do far worse by choosing someone else or remain with the same personnel as we have now.

112288

I made it a point to notice Monroe's defense last night, as I didn't watch the game until 2:30 a.m. He seemed pretty invisible most of the evening, with Drummond being the more active big on defense. This mini-debate falls into a similar category with the question of whether Rondo (irrespective of financial criteria) is qualified to be the floor general of the Celtic's future. The simple fact is that it's difficult to conjecture because the style of the Celtics down the road is difficult to predict.

But it seems probable that two factors are likely to play into whatever happens over time—especially if Brad's here throughout the span of his contract terms.

1. The Celtics will play an uptempo style along with a motion offense.

2. The Celtics will need an intimidator in the middle to anchor the kind of ferocious defense that enables an uptempo style to flourish.

From a somewhat limited exposure to Monroe, I'd guess he comes as close to being an iso player as a big can get. I'm not sure that's consistent with a motion offense. He was a major reason the Pistons outscored the Celtics 56-30 in the paint. But he seems to score more from personal effort in isolation than out of the flow of the game. That's certainly not a bad trait, especially when the halfcourt offense is bogging down and the seconds are ticking away. But I'm not sure that his scoring mentality would be consistent with what Brad envisions for the team as a whole.

But, as is being proven this season, scoring can come from many different sources. I believe effective defense starts in the interior. They don't just need a center. Only an intimidator will instigate the kind of defensive chaos and rebounding superiority that leads to repeated runs centered around pace.

Of course, we didn't see Greg Monroe the center last night because he doesn't primarily play center. Drummond played 42 minutes, leaving precious little time for Monroe to show his stuff in the middle.

But, in his 32 minutes, Greg demonstrate PF numbers rather than intimidator stats in the "physicality" stats:

Monroe had one block. Drummond had 5.
Monroe had 7 rebounds. Drummond had 14.
Monroe had no steals. Drummond had 4.

I'm not claiming Drummond is an intimidator, which is a very subjective term. But I rather doubt that Monroe can even remotely claim that distinction. I realize Greg was impressive offensively last night. But I believe center is one position in which offensive achievements cannot and should not outweigh the ability to intimidate.

I've cooled slightly on Asik because I'm concerned about his durability. But, whether it's Asik or another center or a draftee, I hope Danny will hold out for an intimidator in the middle.

Sam

Sam,

Would you take Monroe as your starting PF and trade Sully given limited physical abilities - 6'9" maybe verses Monroe at 6'11", his weight and limited leaping ability verses Monroe and his athleticism with both equal in scoring ability, for a center who is a rim protector....wherever that person may currently reside and play?

This is not intended to be a loaded question but rather utilizing a current asset you have in a trade to pick up an asset you currently do not have (center/rim protector) while at the same time replenishing an asset you gave up through a free agency signing.


112288

112288,

You give Monroe the benefit of discarding his rookie statistics, yet you include all of Asik's seasons, including when he was a backup to Noah in Chicago and Howard in Houston. A better gauge is to look at his two seasons when he's been a starter (2012-13 and this season) and he's been among the league leaders in rebounding (third in 2012-13, 10th this season while playing with Anthony Davis).

You're right that rim protectors are a rare commodity, but as has been mentioned in the past, a "rim protector" means more than just blocking shots. It's an unfortunately nebulous quantity, but like Justice Potter Stewart, I know it when I see it. Asik has it, and Monroe doesn't. Still, if you want to look at blocks, Monroe has averaged 0.6 per game for his career as a starter (a woeful 0.2 this season), and Asik has averaged 1.1 per game in both seasons as a starter.

I don't think Monroe is as clueless as Josh Smith, but I've watched Detroit play around ten times over the past several seasons, and Monroe completely disappears for long stretches, especially defensively. He's a solid offensive player, but his defensive liabilities are part of the reason that Detroit has underperformed while he's been there.

Outside

All good points raised to consider.  Sounds as if we consider the pluses and negatives of the two players taking in what Sam posted about Asik, it seems as if it is a wash.  I guess in whoever you are in favor with, you can look at the glass as either half empty or half full. 

112288

112288,

If I thought Sully could be traded even up (with draft picks) for a truly intimidating center (The limiting term "rim protector" has joined "point guard" on my Refuse to Use list), I'd make the trade even if Monroe weren't on the Celtics team. In terms of the development of the team, an intimidating center is more important than having three power forwards. However, I just don't believe Sully would bring that major a prize in trade.

If you're asking for a comparison of Monroe and Sully as power forwards, I believe Monroe has the offensive edge and Sully has the toughness edge. They're very close in terms of per minute stats on points, rebounds and blocks. I guess it's true that Monroe has a height advantage, but I'm not seeing (at least not statistically and observationally in terms of his defense) where that advantage is manifested in superior performance.

Sam

I see no reason why the Celtics would trade Sully for Monroe. Neither are particularly effective defenders, both can score and rebound so I see no reason for them to switch uniforms. By the way Monroe is listed as a PF

Asik only gets 5.6 shots off a game which seems low but since they have a lot of other scorers he is not a focal point on offense. He is still averaging 10 rebounds PG. I think he could still be an asset to go after at the right price.

dboss

D boss

Perhaps I was not clear as I was rushed in my post due to business conference call.  My intended question was.....would you trade Sully for a starting center/rim protector and pick up Monroe in free agency to replace Sully.

112288

Outside wrote:112288,

You give Monroe the benefit of discarding his rookie statistics, yet you include all of Asik's seasons, including when he was a backup to Noah in Chicago and Howard in Houston. A better gauge is to look at his two seasons when he's been a starter (2012-13 and this season) and he's been among the league leaders in rebounding (third in 2012-13, 10th this season while playing with Anthony Davis).

You're right that rim protectors are a rare commodity, but as has been mentioned in the past, a "rim protector" means more than just blocking shots. It's an unfortunately nebulous quantity, but like Justice Potter Stewart, I know it when I see it. Asik has it, and Monroe doesn't. Still, if you want to look at blocks, Monroe has averaged 0.6 per game for his career as a starter (a woeful 0.2 this season), and Asik has averaged 1.1 per game in both seasons as a starter.

I don't think Monroe is as clueless as Josh Smith, but I've watched Detroit play around ten times over the past several seasons, and Monroe completely disappears for long stretches, especially defensively. He's a solid offensive player, but his defensive liabilities are part of the reason that Detroit has underperformed while he's been there.

I like the way you say that, I know it when I see it, as I'm not a particular stat guy either. Asik definitely has it, as hes a legit load in the paint, and makes Anthony Davis's life easier. You can win in this league with role playing defensive 5's, Perk, Tyson Chandler, that can anchor and basically hit and move people and give the team enough toughness to win. Other than Heat, I never saw a team weak in the middle win or contend.

112288 wrote:D boss

Perhaps I was not clear as I was rushed in my post due to business conference call.  My intended question was.....would you trade Sully for a starting center/rim protector and pick up Monroe in free agency to replace Sully.

112288

I would do that. I would take a Hibbert for Sully and Wallace and a pick if we could sign Monroe, who can rebound, score and is athletic. Monroe as a PF and Hibbert with Rondo getting them the ball as they've both never played with a top notch passing PG could work....but I don't ever see this getting done.

COWEN

YOU ARE MISINTERPRETING ME THAT SULLY IS OUR CENTER.

CURRENTLY HE IS OUR POWER FORWARD AND I AM SAYING WOULD YOU TRADE YOUR PF FOR A RIM PROTECTOR AND FILL SULLY/PF POSITION NEXT YEAR WITH MONROE.

WE WENT THROUGH THAT EXERCISE LAST YEAR WHICH WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE AS SULLY COULD NOT COPE WITH TALLER CENTERS AND HIS LIMITED LEAPING ABILITY.

112288

112288

I read it right, your reading my post wrong, I was for the trade, I used Hibbert as an example of a center I would trade Sully for if we could sign Monroe as a free agent....get it together.

cow

OK  ...Hoe is all well!

112288

112288 Learn how to spell god damn it, you calling me a ho? LOL

Hmm... Hibbertt.. It's intriguing. He has talent, but does he have the motivation and heart?


KJ

Hes bigger than Perk is underrated passer with good hands and has never played with an elite PG. He would make Rondo better and vice a versa.

Cowans
What is hes mean?

Putting Hibbert and Monroe on the court with Rondo would make the Celtics stronger than having Sullenger at PF and Zeller at center with Rondo, but there are other factors to consider.

First, is that it would have to be figured what it would take to trade for Hibbert. I doubt that Sullenger alone would be enough, but the Cs do have plenty of draft choices to trade.

Second, would be the financial commitment to put Hibbert and Monroe together with Rondo for 2015-16 and beyond. Certainly, there will be a huge difference in paying 50-55 M (my guesstimate) for Hibbert, Monroe and Rondo compared to maybe 22-25 M for Rondo, Sullenger and Zeller per season for the next couple of years. Can the Celtics build a supporting cast in the next two years if they are paying upwards of 50 M for the three mentioned players and still maintain their usual desire to stay under the luxury cap.

Rondo is not worth 22-25 million, those are KG numbers, hes not a KG and Pierce never got a full max contract either. Rondo is gonna have to give some kind of home discount, 15-16 mill....

Pacers will not give up an anchor like Hibbert for Sully, Wallace and a few picks bottomline, not gonna happen.

Cow,

Depends on what other offers Indy has on the table. I think they'd be wise not to let him walk for nothing.



KJ