The Celtics took the season series against the Pistons last night with a 90-78 win at home and securing a playoff birth. Detroit played this game from behind from the opening tip when Bostons went up 17-3 early. Detroit tied the score early in the fourth quarter, but Bostons went on a run to crush all hopes of pulling this one out. A game that started off Bostons way, that looked like it was going to go down to the wire, finished with a sold Celtic win.

Key Points:

• The Celtics came to play, Detroit (excluding Sheed) didn’t.
• You have to give it to Boston, they played a great game led by 31 points from KG.
• Kendrick Perkins 20 boards and 10 points. Was it not a concern that he was gobbling up boards?
• Tayshaun was invisible offensively until the second half. He did pull down 10 boards and finished the game with 7 points.
• Where’s the urgency?
• No excuses. Had the Pistons really wanted this one they could have taken it. Sheed was the only one out there that looked hungry for the W.
• Very physical game starting with the elbow to Rip Hamilton from Ray Allen, who had a horrible game going 1-for-9 from the floor for 3 points. Give it to Rip for hounding him all night.
• Sheed really was the only one who kept the Pistons in the game. RA finished with 23 points and 4 boards. I do think he took a bit too many 3’s late in the game, but you have to think it may have been because he tweaked that ankle. Help him Arnie!

• 5 Pistons bench points.
• I wasn’t surprised that Flip went with Dixon over Afflalo in a game like this. Does that show his true colors? Maybe, but if Dixon or Hayes would have knocked down some shots I probably wouldn’t be second guessing.
• Do you really believe that this game meant more to Boston than Detroit? I don’t. I do think Boston was hungry and The Pistons went in there thinking they weren’t going to have a problem.
• The late fourth quarter collapse from Detroit was hard to watch. I wonder if that’s humbling for the team, who let it slip away after tying the game.
• Maxiell, if you’re going to foul Rondo that hard make sure he doesn’t make the dunk. Please.
• I am sorry for all of you who had to watch the Boston side of this on League Pass.
• 18 of Chauncey’s 23 points came in the third quarter. Chauncey shot just 4-for-12, but went 14-for-15 from the stripe.

• The Pistons never led.
• “He did his thing tonight,” Amir Johnson said of Garnett. “I couldn’t really stop him tonight. He played good.” Via MLive
• Rasheed’s late fourth quarter fouls on Garnett, within seconds of each other, really hurt the Pistons down the stretch. Not only did Sheed have to leave, but having him play with 5 when the game is on the line is never good.
• 13 first quarter points and 11 fourth quarter points.
• Crushed on the boards 50-38.
• Chauncey and Sheed shot 14 three’s between them.
• “Part of the problem is when things start going south, our guys think they can do it by themselves,” Saunders said. “We don’t have those type of players. Our players are geared towards somebody else making a play for somebody. That’s how this team is built.” Via MLive
• Do you really want to watch the Highlights for this one?
• Friday MSG against New York, where the Pistons got blown out in their last meeting in in NYC.
• Leave your frustrations thoughts in the comments, even though many of you left them last night. Sometimes we need a good night sleep to see things more rationally. Right?