Inside The Playbook

Hot and Not: Celtics v. Pistons

By: Lily Zhao

Following the Pistons' 98-88 win over the Celtics Wednesday night, here were some hot and not parts of the game.

BURNING HOT

Ben Gordon from 3: Every time it seemed the Celtics would put a little distance between themselves and the Pistons, Gordon would deliver a game-turning three to shift the momentum. He connected on 4-of-6 from downtown, which is more than the Celtics made as a team, only shooting 1-of-6. It wasn't that Gordon connected on all the shots from beyond the arc for Detroit, but it was the timing of these shots that were so killer. It all started to come together for him in the fourth quarter, where he hit his last three-point attempts. Following a missed three by Mickael Pietrus, Gordon's three with 1:08 left in the fourth would ice the game for the Pistons. That shot sent C's fans migrating in masses out of the arena.

HOT 

Rajon Rondo in the first half: It seems Rondo has overcome his fears of playing the Pistons. He scored an average of six points in his last five games against Detroit. This game would be different. Rondo started the first quarter on fire, continuing his hot streak, and scored the first couple of baskets for the Celtics. His two feeds to Chris Wilcox who slammed it home got the crowd on its feet. Heading into the half, he had 19 points and 3 assists. His impact on offense and defense was what kept the Celtics in control for the rest of the first half.

NOT

Jermaine O'Neal's return: O'Neal returned to the starting lineup for the first time after missing several games due to ankle and knee problems. However, O'Neal was a non-factor in this game, only scoring a point and grabbed 2 rebounds. He was moving slower than usual and still seemed hamped by his knees. The only bright spot of his game was his block in the third quarter that led to another feed by Rondo to Wilcox to put the C's up 64-61 with 5:33 remaining.

ICE, ICE BABY

Celtics' free throw percentage: When the Celtics needed it the most, they could not sink their free throws. Despite playing well in the first half, Rondos' inability to sink the free throws in the fourth quarter prevented the team from mounting any kind of a comeback. The Celtics were a dismal 59 percent from the line, making only 19-of-32, while the Pistons shot 24-of-29 from the charity stripe.