By: Lily Zhao
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| (ESPN.com) |
Greg Monroe added 22 points of his own, and Gordon came off the bench for 22 points to help the Pistons improve to 3-12 on the road.
Rajon Rondo scored 35 points, while Chris Wilcox and Paul Pierce added 27 points combined to keep the Celtics in control for much of the game.
Kevin Garnett did not play because of a hip flexor.
Both teams traded leads midway through the third quarter. Rondo would hit only six of his 10 shots in the second half and was a non-factor with less than five minutes left in the third.
With 1:08 left in the third quarter, Stuckey would make the layup to put the Pistons within one 72-71. On the very next play, Monroe's layup would put the Piston's ahead for good 73-72.
The Pistons' 6-0 run would put them ahead heading into the fourth. The Celtics' inability to produce points down low in the post and grab rebounds would lead to many second chance points for the Pistons.
Gordon's three from the top of the key, followed by another layup by Stuckey a couple of plays later would push the Pistons lead to 13, the biggest lead of the game.
Despite leading for most of the game, the Pistons made a 16-4 run late to take control in the fourth quarter and main the lead with a balanced offensive effort and more offensive and defensive rebounds.
GAME NOTES:
Jermaine O'Neal would return to the game following knee and ankle problems to score a point...Boston came into the game scoring quickly, but the absence of Garnett on the defensive end would lead to easy shots at the basket for the Pistons, who made 10 of their 19 shots in the first quarter...The Pistons bench would outscore Boston's bench 29-15 mainly due to Ben Gordon's 22 point night...Boston will not return home until Feb. 29 against the Milwaukee Bucks and has a tough stretch ahead playing Chicago, Dallas and Oklahoma City next week.
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