Skip navigation

Pistons top Celtics, knot series at 2-2


< Prev | 1 | 2
Slideshow
Indiana Pacers v Atlanta Hawks
  Dancers from around the league
Check out some of the dancers from the NBA.

more photos

Video: NBA from NBC Sports
Scary time for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Nov. 10: Just a few years after a good friend passed away from leukemia, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was scared when he received his cancer diagnosis.

  Ask the NBA expert: Ira Winderman

Do you have a burning question about your favorite team or player? Submit it now, and then check back for our reader mailbag on the 1st and 15th of each month.

Special feature
Ashanti
Celebs at the NBA Finals
Check out big stars watching the Finals from the good seats.

NBCSports.com

Special feature
Premiere of Warner Bros' "Whiteout" - Arrivals
When athletes and celebs get together
A visual tour of the many links between sports and Hollywood stars.

NBCSports.com

Special feature
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen
Luck of the Irish
How the Celtics went from worst to first in one year
Slide show
Image: AEK Athens' Nemeth reacts after a Europa League soccer match against BATE Borisov in Athens
  Week in Sports Pictures
Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more.

more photos

Boston had more points from the line (32) than from the field early in the fourth quarter when it pulled within 67-62.

“We didn’t play well, but we hung in there by getting to the foul line,” Rivers said. “Then, we just couldn’t make plays.”

Billups essentially sealed the win with a 3-pointer with just under 3 minutes left, making some forget the offensive struggles he had much of the game on his sore right hamstring.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

Detroit improved to 5-0 in games following losses in the playoffs.

“No one likes it, the way our team personality is,” said Saunders, referring to the Pistons’ penchant to play their best when down or doubted.

The Celtics fell to 1-7 on the road and 0-6 when trailing after three quarters.

Boston reserve James Posey scored 11 points and Kendrick Perkins, who fouled out, had 10.

The Pistons attacked Boston at both ends of the court as they got off to a strong start.

They led 10-0 thanks to McDyess’ eight points and swarming defense that led to Boston missing its first four shots and later having more turnovers (3) than points (2).

“We put a lot of emphasis on the start because that team is so good when they get on top,” Billups said. “We didn’t want to let them do that again.”

Notes: McDyess’ previous high in points this postseason was 17 and his high in rebounds was 14. ... While playing for Phoenix against San Antonio in the 1998 playoffs, McDyess had a career-playoff high 26 points in one game, 19 rebounds in another and four blocks in yet another game against the Spurs. ... Hamilton played in his 114th postseason game, breaking Bill Laimbeer’s team record. ... Allen learned how to sign “NBA Basketball is Fantastic” in American Sign Language before the game as teammate P.J. Brown ate a PBJ sandwich.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


< Prev | 1 | 2

Sponsored links