Pistons beat Celtics 87-77

[November 04, 2013]  AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Josh Smith, Andre Drummond and Josh Smith scored 15 points each Sunday night and the Detroit Pistons kept the Boston Celtics and first-year coach Brad Stevens winless with an 87-77 victory.

The Pistons (2-1) trailed 65-63 early in the fourth quarter but went on a 10-0 run to take the lead for good and win their second home game in as many tries. Drummond added 12 rebounds and Brandon Jennings had 14 points in his Detroit debut.

Rookie Kelly Olynyk scored 15 points and Jordan Crawford added 13 for the Celtics (0-3).

Boston, which blew a 22-point lead in Friday's loss to Milwaukee, trailed by as many as 15 points in the third quarter but went on a 13-0 run to take the lead.

Detroit answered with the decisive run and held on in the final minutes after the Celtics cut the lead to 79-77 with less than 2 minutes to play.

NOTES: Crawford was assessed a technical foul by referee Sean Corbin midway through the fourth quarter. . Detroit F Charlie Villanueva (left shoulder) missed his third straight game. . Detroit sported navy jerseys with "Motor City" in place of the team's name. The salute to the region's automotive heritage will be worn nine more times this season.

Jennings, who missed most of the preseason and the first two games because of a fractured jaw caused by a wisdom tooth, had a steal and got the ball to Rodney Stuckey, who made two free throws to give the Pistons some breathing room. Detroit held the Celtics scoreless the rest of the way.

The Pistons outscored the Celtics 10-5 in the last 5 minutes of the first half and took a 45-35 lead. Boston made just five field goals in the second quarter and had that many turnovers.

Jennings, who came to Detroit during the offseason in a sign-and-trade deal with Milwaukee, wore a facemask that covered his chin. He fell to the court after colliding with Brandon Bass in the final seconds of the first half but showed no ill effects when he returned for the third quarter.

[Associated Press]

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