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Pistons down Celtics

Nov 4, 2013 - 4:18 AM Auburn Hills, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Josh Smith, Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond all netted 15 points for the Detroit Pistons in an 87-77 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.

The Pistons' starting frontcourt all made seven field goals and a free throw, while Drummond and Monroe added 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively. Rodney Stuckey shot 8-of-9 from the foul line off the bench for 10 points.

Brandon Jennings, who missed the Pistons' first two games after undergoing wisdom tooth surgery, made his Detroit debut and dropped 14 points while matching a game-high with four assists. Jennings spent the first four years of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and came over in an offseason trade for Brandon Knight.

"Obviously we knew Brandon Jennings could play," said Detroit head coach Maurice Cheeks. "It was just good to see him out there and see the effect that he can have on a team because he brings a little bit of electricity to the game.

Kelly Olynyk paced Boston with 15 points and eight boards off the bench. Avery Bradley and Jordan Crawford scored 13 points apiece as the Celtics remained winless on the season.

"We just have to get better," said Olynyk. "They (Pistons) capitalized on their chances. We cut it close a couple of times, but that's not good enough when you play in this league."

The Pistons extended their 45-35 halftime lead to 15 points early in the third on a Will Bynum pull-up jumper. Boston managed to stay within striking distance and made its move late in the third quarter.

Monroe split a pair at the free throw line to give the Pistons a 63-52 edge with 2:41 left in the third when Boston went on a 13-0 surge that spanned into the early stages of the fourth quarter. Bradley tied the score on Boston's second possession of the final frame with a corner 3 from Crawford in transition, and two Sullinger free throws gave the Celtics the lead.

Jennings ended the spurt with a layup, which sparked a 12-2 Pistons' run to regain control of the game.

Bradley's step-back jumper with 2:14 remaining cut Boston's deficit to two, but the Celtics committed three straight turnovers after that and Detroit took care of business at the foul line. The Pistons ended the game on an 8-0 run.

"Those groups were doing a great job," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. "They gave us a chance to win and then we turned it over because we were moving too fast. I was pleased with the last group at the end of the game and I just thought they gave it everything they had."

The Pistons asserted their dominance inside early on, outscoring the Celtics 22-14 in the paint in the first quarter. Detroit also outrebounded Boston, 14-6, but led just 24-21 after the opening 12 minutes thanks to Crawford, who netted seven points in the final minutes of the opening frame.

Game Notes

Neither team shot well from behind the arc, as Boston hit 3-for-16 and Detroit made just 2-of-13 ... The Pistons grabbed seven more offensive rebounds than Boston and outscored the visitors, 19-8, on second chance points ... The Celtics look to get on track when they visit Memphis on Monday.