Game Preview: Pistons Host Celtics as Rip's Jersey Heads to the Rafters
The Detroit Pistons(28-30) host the Boston Celtics(37-21) tonight at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The game begins at 6 PM EST. Tonight the Pistons retire former Detroit Piston, Richard Hamilton's jersey.
https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/835852672943038465
Hamilton is the third member of the Detroit Pistons team that won the 2004 NBA Championship to have his jersey retired by the Pistons. Ben Wallace and Chauncey Billups both had their jerseys retired last season.
https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons/status/835875322188840960
The Celtics come into tonight's game after falling to the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Thomas, who is averaging 30.7 points per game this season when playing the Pistons, scored 20 points versus the Raptors. Marcus Smart and Jae Crowder each scored 19 points apiece. Al Horford was limited by the tough play from Toronto's bigmen to just eight points and five rebounds. Boston was outscored 33-20 in the fourth quarter.
Detroit shocked the Hornets on Thursday night, coming back in the fourth quarter to beat Charlotte 114-108 in overtime. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 11 points in the last 2:16 of the fourth quarter to force overtime. Caldwell-Pope and Marcus Morris led the Pistons in ovetime to complete the comeback over the Hornets. Caldwell-Pope finished the game with 33 points and nine rebounds. Tobias Harris came off the bench to score 25 points. Ish Smith, also off the bench, had 16 assists.
Probable Starting Lineups:
Detroit Pistons
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF: Marcus Morris
PF: Jon Leuer
C: Andre Drummond
Boston Celtics
PG: Isaiah Thomas
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jae Crowder
PF: Amir Johnson
C: Al Horford
Injuries:
There are no injuries to report for the Pistons. Avery Bradley is questionable to play for Boston.
Featured image: Charles Krupa/AP