Pistons try to remain perfect versus Celtics

11.15.2005

(Basketball News) - The red-hot Detroit Pistons return home tonight, as they welcome Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics to The Palace of Auburn Hills.

This is the second time this season that the Pistons and Celtics have met. On November 4th, Richard Hamilton knocked down the game-winning jumper just before time expired, as Detroit posted a dramatic 82-81 win over Boston at TD Banknorth Garden. Hamilton went 11-of-19 from the field and ended with 26 points, while Chauncey Billups contributed 16 and eight assists in the victory for the Pistons.

The Celtics have lost three straight and six of their last seven at Detroit.

Detroit, which is the only undefeated team in the NBA, has started the 2005-06 campaign with six straight wins. The Pistons are fresh off of a perfect 3-0 road trip. in the finale of the swing, Billups had a team-high 21 points and 10 assists and hit two big free throws down the stretch as the Pistons defeated the Portland TrailBlazers, 84-81, on Friday at the Rose Garden.

Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince both scored 14 points and Rasheed Wallace added 13 in the win over Portland. Ben Wallace finished with 12 points and five rebounds for Detroit.

The Pistons have started a season with six wins in a row for the first time since they opened the 1988-89 campaign with eight straight victories. Detroit is 2-0 at The Palace this season.

After tonight’s contest, the Pistons will hit the road for a pair of games against Southwest Division clubs. They will visit the Houston Rockets on Friday and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

Boston will try to win its second straight game. On Sunday, Raef LaFrentz tied his career-high with 32 points, including 7-of-9 from three-point range, as the Celtics defeated the Rockets, 102-82, at TD Banknorth Garden.

Ricky Davis and Pierce finished with 19 points apiece against Houston, and Mark Blount netted 17 for the Celtics, who snapped a four-game losing streak to the Rockets. The Celtics shot 46 percent from the floor, including 48 percent (12-of-25) from beyond the arc.

The Celtics return home after tonight’s game to host the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday and the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

Boston lost its only game on the road this season. It fell in overtime to the Charlotte Bobcats, 107-105, on November 5th.

BOS DET

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