Breaking Down Chauncey Billups, Eddie House, & Last Night’s Boston Celtics-Detroit Pistons Game

On Wednesday night, the Eastern Conference’s two best teams, the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons, met in a so-called statement game.

The Celtics, based on their 20-2 record, were the favorites. However, the Pistons ended up making the statement, squeaking out an 87-85 victory on two last second free throws from Chauncey Billups.

Here are a few points worth remembering:

• You can’t teach the Pistons’ experience. For most of the last decade, Detroit has remained near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They’ve won in the regular season, playoffs, and NBA Finals. So a game in December-even if it is against the league’s best team- doesn’t faze them.
  

• Chauncey Billups is still a cold-blooded, end-of-game assassin. Mr. Big Shot scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter and shook off a late turnover to ice the win with two free throws.
  

• The Pistons exposed the Celtics’ hole at the back-up point guard spot. Lindsey Hunter’s full-court defense prevented Eddie House from bringing the ball up-court. Look for other teams to start pressuring Boston’s ball-handler when Rajon Rondo is on the bench. 
  

• Singling out House is unfair, though. The Celtics reserves chipped in with just five points, all of which were scored by the journeyman guard. Fair or not, Danny Ainge and Boston’s front office will face a new round of questions about their bench.

“I think this game is going help us measure and see actually where we think we were,” said Garnett. “And regardless of their record this is one of the best teams in the league. If we are going to be of any substance, we need to go through Detroit and some other teams and like Paul said, I would rather deal with it now than later.” (Boston Globe) 

 “I mean that’s what its all about,” said Pierce. “Getting tested, going out, cleaning up
   things we can do better. And it is something we have to learn from.” (Boston Globe)

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