Celtics’ Ime Udoka: Hard-Fought Win Over Pistons Helps Prepare For Playoffs

The Celtics had a major struggle on their hands in Saturday’s 113-104 road win over the Pistons, but coach Ime Udoka said that’s not such a bad thing.

“It’s beneficial, I think,” Ukoka told reporters. “Early in the season we had lost some of those. Winning by 30 or 20 or whatever it is isn’t realistic basketball.

“It’s going to sustain us throughout the season, but come playoff time, to be in these tough challenges is good for us. Our execution in the fourth quarter was great. We were encouraged. They were making some tough shots, we were up two at halftime, down four at the end of the third and we felt like we didn’t play our best at all on both ends.

“So we were kind of encouraged by that. Wanted to put together a solid 12 minutes and close it out, and I thought we did that.”

Jaylen Brown (27 Points) and Jayson Tatum (26) have been especially good lately, as the Celtics have become a true Eastern Conference contender in the season’s second half. They also received a pleasant surprise of a performance from second-year guard Payton Pritchard, who scored 19.

“Obviously earlier in the season, we found ways to lose games, and now we’re kind of finding ways to win,” Brown said. 

“Just started making some plays. I give credit to Detroit; they came out, played a good game against us. But down the line, we executed, made some shots, got out and ran, and we brought it – what we do per usual – and the game kind of opened up a little bit.”

No. 1 overall draft pick and Pistons guard Cade Cunningham gave one of his better showings, scoring 27 points and keeping Detroit in the game.

“I liked three-and-a-half quarters of the way we played, but that one stretch where it was 22-8 (at the start of the fourth quarter) and missed open shots, you’re not going to beat anybody shooting 25% or 26% from 3-point line,” Pistons coach Dwane Casey said. “You’ve got to make your open 3s and we created them. Guys stepped in with conviction and guys normally make them, but, some of the things that we did defensively are on us, our defensive mistakes.”