BOSTON – The Detroit Pistons closed out the first half by scoring six of the last seven points which provided them with a 59-53 halftime lead over the Boston Celtics.
The mini-run by the Pistons to close out the half was in many ways symbolic of how most of the first half played out.
Boston would do some nice things, come within a point or a possession of taking the lead or tying the game up, only for Detroit to come back with timely shots from their perimeter players.
The Celtics seemed to have tapped into an all-too common strategy used against the Pistons and their All-Star center Andre Drummond who is one of the NBA’s worst free throw shooters.
Trailing 51-46 with 3:19 to play in the half, the Celtics went to the hack-a-Drummond strategy on two consecutive possessions.
He was 2-for-4 from the line during that period of time. In between his free throws, Isaiah Thomas made a pair of 3-pointers that brought Boston within 53-52.
That would be as close as the Celtics would get for the remainder of the half.
Here’s a look at the first half Stars, Studs and Duds from tonight’s game.
STARS
Andre Drummond
After getting ejected in the second quarter last night at Charlotte, he looked very much like a refreshed, ready-to-go force for Detroit. He went into the half already with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Isaiah Thomas
Scoring is once again proving difficult to come by, but the 5-foot-9 all-star continues to stay aggressive and attack the rim frequently. He led all scorers at the half with 16 points.
STUDS
Jon Leuer
Boston Celtics
He gave the Celtics fits when he was in Phoenix, and he’s doing the same tonight for Detroit. He came off the Pistons bench for eight points in 13 minutes, along with grabbing three rebounds and dishing out two assists.
Kelly Olynyk
He gave Boston a nice lift off the bench with 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting in 11 minutes of court time.
DUDS
Avery Bradley
He was scoreless in the first half, missing all five of his shots from the field. And the Celtics’ top rebounder hasn’t done much on the glass either, with just three rebounds in the first half.