With 8:35 to play in the third quarter, the Detroit Pistons trailed 72-50 and were staring at a home loss to open the season.
Then, they leaned into their defensive identity and found their rhythm from the 3-point line.
A dominant 23-0 run in the fourth quarter gave the Pistons definitive control of the game, and powered a 119-113 win over the Boston Celtics to open the season. The Pistons were led by 22-point efforts from Cade Cunningham (who also had eight assists) and Duren, who added nine rebounds and two steals. Duncan Robinson (21 points, 5-for-9 from 3) and Javonte Green (19 points, 5-for-8 from 3) also had big performances.
The 22-point comeback was the largest opening-day comeback for an NBA team in the play-by-play era, according to NBA Communications. They held the Celtics to 38.5% overall in the second half and led them in second-chance points, 24-16.
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Thompson assertive on both ends
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff set his expectations for Thompson during his pregame press conference. He wants the fourth-year defensive ace to stay aggressive – including the offensive end, where he tends to blend in rather than stand out.
“It’s a willingness to continue to be assertive no matter the circumstances, and that’s on both ends of the floor,” Bickerstaff said. “Being attack-minded offensively, getting to the paint, offensive rebounding, defensive rebounding, pushing the ball. We know he’s going to guard the other guy’s best player and do what he does there, but how disruptive can he be on that end of the floor? We just want him to be assertive for as many minutes as he’s on the floor.”
Thompson held up his end in his debut, making plays on both ends of the floor. The Pistons continued his preseason role of letting him bring the ball up the floor and initiating offense, but he also took matters into his own hands. The highlight play of the day might’ve been an athletic spinning layup early in the second quarter that drew a gasp from the audience.
Defensively, he was as disruptive as usual and forced several turnovers, including a steal on Neemias Queta in the first that led to a fastbreak dunk for Cunningham. It was a two-way performance that highlighted what the Pistons expect from the twin.
Green makes instant impact
After not playing during the first half, Green checked into the game for the first time in the third quarter and immediately made a difference. He scored 11 points in the period and helped provide the spark that allowed them to close a 22-point gap, knocking down three 3-pointers during their 32-13 run to cut it to three.
Green was the only Pistons player to appear in all 82 games last season, and Tuesday showed why. He hit two more 3-pointers in the fourth, including his final bucket of the night with 3:33 remaining to cap a 23-0 Pistons run and give them their biggest lead of the game, 112-99.
Robinson takes over in fourth
Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the final period, knocking down three of four 3-point attempts and six of eight free throws. The Pistons trailed by 12 early in the fourth, but Robinson’s heroics allowed them to stay afloat until they sealed the win with a 23-0 run.
The veteran sharpshooter has been unsung, at times, for the Pistons while thriving in his role as the spacing anchor for the starting lineup. As a team, the Pistons shot 4-for-18 from 3 in the first half and 11-for-22 in the second half, largely thanks to Robinson and Green who combined for 9-for-13 shooting from deep.
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Tipoff: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23; Kaseya Center, Miami.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Pistons use epic 23-0 run to top Celtics in national TV opener