Statement Made: Pistons Top Celtics 112–105
The Detroit Pistons are officially the team to beat in the Eastern Conference — and if there were any doubts, Monday night’s 112–105 win over the Boston Celtics should erase them.
In a gritty, playoff-style battle at TD Garden, the Pistons improved to 21–5, extending their winning streak to four games while exacting a little revenge on the team that snapped their historic run just weeks ago. With the victory, Detroit strengthened its hold on the top seed in the East and continued a dream start to the 2025–26 season that should have the Motor City buzzing.
🏀 Stat Capsule
Final: 🟦 Detroit Pistons 112 | 🟩 Boston Celtics 105
Records: DET 21–5 | BOS 15–11
⭐ Game Leaders
- Cade Cunningham (DET): 32 points | 10 rebounds | 6-of-10 3PT
- Jaylen Brown (BOS): 34 points | 8 rebounds
- Derrick White (BOS): 31 points | 5-of-12 3PT
🎯 Team Shooting
- Field Goal %: DET 46% (41-89) | BOS 46% (38-82)
- 3-Point %: DET 36% (13-36) | BOS 26% (10-39)
- Free Throws: DET 17-25 (68%) | BOS 19-27 (70%)
💪 Hustle & Control
- Rebounds: DET 39 | BOS 37
- Offensive Rebounds: DET 12 | BOS 7
- Assists: DET 21 | BOS 16
- Turnovers: DET 11 | BOS 13
🔥 Bench Impact
- Bench Points: DET 47 | BOS 30
- Javonte Green (DET): +13 plus/minus in 14 minutes
- Caris LeVert (DET): 13 points off the bench
Cade Cunningham: The Engine
As has been the case all season, Cade Cunningham set the tone.
The Pistons’ franchise cornerstone finished with a game-high 32 points and 10 rebounds, recording another double-double while controlling the game’s pace. Cunningham knocked down six three-pointers and consistently punished Boston’s defensive switches.
After missing a crucial free throw in the closing seconds of the Pistons’ previous meeting with Boston — a loss that ended Detroit’s franchise-record-tying 13-game winning streak — Cunningham played with purpose. He delivered in the fourth quarter, answering every Celtics push and steadying the offense when the game tightened late.
Depth on Display
Detroit’s depth continues to separate it from the pack.
Tobias Harris provided veteran stability with 13 points, while Caris LeVert matched him with 13 off the bench, giving the Pistons timely scoring throughout the night. This was also the first game where I really felt like Jaden Ivey showed a glimpse of what was evident before his injury— explosiveness to the basket. He added 10 points, using his speed to pressure Boston’s defense and keep the floor spaced.
The unsung hero, though, was Javonte Green. His fourth-quarter sequence — a steal and breakaway dunk followed by a corner three — flipped momentum and pushed Detroit’s lead into double digits. That stretch encapsulated the Pistons’ identity: defense, energy, and timely execution.
Detroit’s bench outscored Boston’s reserves 47–30, a decisive edge in a game that featured 15 lead changes.
Fighting the Whistle on the Parquet
The officiating didn’t help matters either. All night, it felt like the Pistons were fighting uphill against a whistle that leaned green — reversed calls, missed contact, and plenty of head-scratchers. None stood out more than the sequence where Jaylen Brown, attempting to block a Caris LeVert shot, clearly caught him across the face — no foul, even after an official review. Even George Blaha, the longtime voice of the Pistons who’s seen just about everything in this league, was openly miffed, wondering aloud how referee Nick Buchert could announce the overturned call with a straight face. It left that familiar “something smells funny in the Garden” feeling, especially on the parquet, where Detroit has rarely gotten the benefit of the doubt.
Speaking of Brown, he was everywhere on the floor, and the Pistons felt his presence throughout the night — especially Isaiah Stewart, who mixed it up with him in a chippy exchange that resulted in technical fouls for both players.
Still, the Pistons did enough to overcome what felt like a stacked deck, which only made the win more satisfying. These teams have gone toe-to-toe in a couple of knock-down, drag-out battles this season, and frankly, I love it. The Celtics are easy to despise — and if they weren’t navigating this season without Jayson Tatum, they’d probably still be the favorites in the East — which makes Detroit’s emergence even more compelling.
Winning the Battle in the Trenches
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s emphasis on toughness was evident on the glass.
The Pistons grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, creating second-chance opportunities that consistently broke Boston’s rhythm. Defensively, Detroit ran shooters off the line and contested everything, holding the Celtics to just 10-of-39 from three-point range.
On the other end, Detroit stayed efficient, knocking down 13 three-pointers and making Boston pay for defensive lapses.
Redemption and the Road Ahead
This win carried extra weight.
After Boston halted Detroit’s historic winning streak in late November, the Pistons responded by walking into the defending champions’ building and delivering a composed, statement victory. At 21–5, Detroit is off to its best start in two decades — and doing it with balance, confidence, and an edge that travels.
The road trip continues Thursday night in Texas against the Dallas Mavericks. If the Pistons bring this same intensity, the message is clear: Detroit basketball is back, and it’s built to last.
Do you think there’s a renewed rivalry brewing between the Pistons and Celtics? Drop a comment below or join the conversation in the Pistons Hardwood Hub — where fans break down every game, every angle.
Info gathered from team reports, pressers & trusted media outlets — the way we always do it at Mitten Sports Talk.
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