Detroit Pistons beat Boston Celtics 121-113 after 22-point deficit

The Detroit Pistons began their season with a 121-113 win over the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Tuesday evening. Boston had led by as many as 22 points, but Detroit outscored the Celtics 39-25 in the fourth quarter to turn it round. Paul George scored 38 points on his Celtics debut, according to DAZN, yet it was not enough. The Pistons now sit 1-0, while the Celtics start 0-1.

What does the Pistons' win over the Celtics mean for the table?

Detroit opened the season with a 121-113 win on Tuesday evening, and the Pistons' record now reads 1-0. Boston left Little Caesars Arena at 0-1 after losing in front of 20178 spectators in Detroit.

That puts Detroit top of the Central standings at 1-0, ahead of Chicago, Cleveland, Indiana and Milwaukee, who have yet to take the floor. Boston are level with New York at the foot of the Atlantic standings, with Philadelphia on top at 1-0.

How did the Pistons come back from 22 points down?

Boston had the better of the early exchanges. The Celtics took the first quarter 28-27 and the second 30-18 against Detroit, and led by as many as 22 points.

Detroit then took the third quarter 37-30 and the fourth 39-25. Yahoo Sports noted Green scored 19 points and pointed to an 18-0 third-quarter run, while DAZN highlighted a 23-0 fourth-quarter run by the Pistons. The Pistons' turnaround came in the second half, and the statistics below show where it came from.

Who were the top performers for Detroit and Boston?

Paul George led the Celtics with 38 points on his debut, according to DAZN. Jayson Tatum handed out 11 assists, though DAZN noted he scored 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting. Jordan Walsh had 6 rebounds for Boston.

For Detroit, Jalen Duren scored 22 points, and Cade Cunningham also scored 22 points with 8 assists. Ausar Thompson had 11 points and 11 rebounds, according to Yahoo Sports. DAZN also listed Robinson with 21 points, including five three-pointers, while the Pistons put together a 23-0 fourth-quarter run.

How did the Pistons and Celtics compare in the box score?

Detroit won the rebounding battle with 49 rebounds to Boston's 39, and the Pistons scored 44 points in the paint against 34 for the Celtics. The Pistons made 28-32 free throws, while the Celtics made 16-21.

The Celtics were slightly better from three-point range, making 17-42 against 15-40 for the Pistons. Boston had 14 turnovers to Detroit's 17, but the Pistons scored 17 fast-break points to the Celtics' 11. Both sides shot 45 per cent from the field, with Boston going 40-88 and Detroit 39-86.

What did the media report and what is next for both teams?

DAZN reported that the Pistons defeated the Celtics 121-113 after a 22-point deficit, and listed George's 38 points as a record for a Celtics debut. DAZN also reported that the Pistons' comeback was the largest on an opening day since 1997-98.

Next, Yahoo Sports said the Pistons, now 1-0, face Miami, while DAZN said the Celtics, now 0-1, face the Knicks. Boston will look for a first win after a night when Tatum went 6-for-23 from the field, according to DAZN.

The numbers at Scorely

Data source: ESPN; calculation and table by Scorely.