The shorthanded Celtics keep on rolling, as they beat the Detroit Pistons 129-102 Friday night at Little Caesar Arena for their eighth straight victory.
For the second occasion in four days, Jaylen Brown dropped another 30-piece against the Motor City -- without Jayson Tatum (ankle), Jrue Holiday (shoulder) or Al Horford (rest) in the lineup.
On Monday, Brown netted 31 points on 11-of-20 from the field, including 5-of-9 from deep in the C's 119-94 victory at TD Garden. This time around he recorded a game-high 33 points on 13-of-19 from the floor to lead the Celtics and improve to a league-leading 56-14 record.
"It's an honor to coach Jaylen when he is playing like this," coach Joe Mazzulla said. "He's processing every possession on both ends of the floor and he's getting the shots he wants, both for himself and his teammates. He's playing very well-rounded basketball and it has been fun to watch."
Payton Pritchard in his third start over the last four outings, finished with 20 points, nine assists while Derrick White (eight rebounds, 11 assists) and Kristaps Porzinigis each scored 19 points respectively. Sam Hauser returned from his two-game absence due to an ankle sprain, to chip in 14 points off the bench.
"I just wanted to be aggressive, because we had some guys out," said Brown in his postgame presser. "When [Tatum] isn't out there, I know I have to play a little bit faster."
James Wiseman led the now 12-58 Pistons with 24 points, nine rebounds, while Jaden Ivey added 16 points and Cade Cunningham -- who missed the last match up between these two teams -- recorded 15 points and six assists in the team's fifth consecutive loss.
Detroit had a 34-32 lead to start the second quarter, before it was knotted up at 43 with 8:31 left in the first half. Boston held the Pistons to only 19 points in the period on their way to a 69-53 advantage at the break.
The Celtics were ahead 90-64 midway through the third frame following a 47-21 run that began in the second quarter and were up 21 by the start of the fourth -- with both clubs emptying their bench the rest of the way.
It was the start of a season-high six-game road trip for Boston and on the first night of a back-to-back, as they forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 27 points, including 17 coming on fast breaks.
"It's the same challenge you have on any trip -- continuing to play at a high level and keep the main things as the main things," Mazzulla said.
The Celtics' next game is scheduled for Saturday in Chicago against the Bulls (34-36), winners of three over their last five games. NBA TV has the tip-off at 8:00 pm ET.
Game Notes:
Boston hit 52.8% of their field goal attempts, including 16-of-45 (35.6%) from 3-point range, while the Pistons were 50.6% from the floor and 9-of-31 (29%) from behind the arc. The C's were out-rebounded 42-35 and outscored in the paint 60-58. The Celtics dished out 31 assists (seven turnovers) on 47 baskets to Detroit's 25 dimes on 42 made shots.
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