Auburn Hills, MI (Sports Network) - Ray Allen led a balanced attack with 18 points and Rajon Rondo added 15 points and 11 assists, as Boston welcomed back Paul Pierce and got back to its winning ways with a 105-100 victory over Detroit.
Pierce Returns As Celtics Beat Pistons 105-100
Pierce only made 2-of-6 shots for nine points after missing three games with a sore right thumb, but his presence relieved some pressure from Allen, Rondo and others. Kevin Garnett donated 14 points with nine rebounds, Nate Robinson also scored 14 and Glen Davis added 12 off the bench for Boston, which has split its last four games.
Jonas Jerebko led Detroit with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Richard Hamilton joined Tayshaun Prince with 15 points each. Ben Wallace filled the stat sheet with six points and 12 rebounds, while Rodney Stuckey contributed 13 points and six assists for the Pistons, who have lost four straight.
The teams played to a 25-25 stalemate in the opening period before Detroit inched in front by five at 48-43 thanks to an Austin Daye three-point play and Stuckey mid-range jumper. However, the visitors came through with six points in a row moments later for a 53-50 advantage as Rondo ended the quick flurry with two transition buckets.
Boston led 55-52 at the half and pushed the edge to 64-56 thanks to a long Allen three nearly five minutes in. The home team responded, scoring the final six points of the stanza to open a 75-72 edge. A Jason Maxiell hook shot and Hamilton layup capped the third-period scoring.
The Celtics surged in front with a 14-4 spurt to begin the final stanza. A Shelden Williams slam and long Robinson trey opened an 86-79 lead with just over eight minutes to play. The margin stood in that point range until the final minute as the Pistons attempted a last-ditch effort at victory.
Prince buried a three with 56.3 seconds to play, cutting the deficit to 97-93, but Boston withstood any change at a rally with an 8-for-8 effort from the charity stripe in the final 37.3 seconds. On two other occasions, the Pistons drew within four only to see Boston make two free throws on the other end.
Another Prince three cut the deficit to 103-100, but Rondo stepped to the foul line and made both with six seconds left to seal the victory.
Detroit fell to 14-17 as the hosts this season...The game featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes...Rasheed Wallace donated 10 points with six rebounds in the victory.
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