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Boston Celtics beat on Detroit Pistons in return from All-Star weekend

By Travis Gibbs

Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Stan Van Gundy of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on February 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Pistons get beat down by Boston in their return to action from All-Star weekend. The Celtics won by a score of 110-98 at Little Caesars Arena.

The Celtics took care of business with a 110-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons. Daniel Theis led Boston with 19 points in the game. Ish Smith carried the Pistons with 20 points.

Boston came into Little Caesar’s Arena and embarrassed the Pistons. There’s no way around it.

There isn’t much to say. This team hasn’t changed. They lack intensity on the defensive end and fall into shooting droughts that will take them right out of a game if they’re in one.

Defensive intensity means hustle and effort. This team plays with a lack of motivation.

When players like Kyrie Irving and Al Horford are left all alone on the three-point line, they’re going to shoot it. They’re going to make it more times than not as well.

The Pistons started to trail in this game when they stopped defending the perimeter shot. It didn’t seem to matter how many three-point shots Boston connected on.

Frustration continues on the offensive end as well. Detroit went over four minutes without scoring in the fourth quarter, putting them out of the game.

There needs to be some kind of solution to this. That doesn’t mean isolating Blake Griffin on one side of the floor and letting him try to bully his way into the paint. It doesn’t work every time. It doesn’t work half the time.

Detroit shot under 30 percent from long range and insisted on trying to match Boston on every make they had.

All-Star Andre Drummond seemed non-existent for parts of this game. Boston pushed him around and denied him access to the ball.

The biggest takeaway in this game is Boston’s bench scoring over 60 points. They spread the ball around and play very unselfishly on both sides of the court.

Detroit should take some notes.

Next: What needs to happen for Pistons after All-Star break

Many people thought this was a playoff-caliber team when they acquired Griffin. The result of this game should bring a lot of those people back to earth.

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