Pistons overturn 22-point deficit to beat Celtics in NBA opener

Detroit recovered from a 22-point deficit to defeat Boston 121-113 on Tuesday, opening the NBA regular season with a home victory. Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, while Paul George's 38-point Celtics debut ended in defeat. Field Level Media reported that Detroit's decisive scoring run went unanswered for 23 points.

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Boston had taken control before halftime, scoring 15 consecutive points after trailing 39-35 in the second quarter. George supplied his team's final eight points before the break, which arrived with the Celtics ahead 58-45. Three George three-pointers within 52 seconds then pushed the advantage to 72-50 during the third quarter.

Javonte Green helped change the game after sitting out the first half. According to the Detroit Free Press report carried by Yahoo Sports, he scored 11 third-quarter points, including three baskets from beyond the arc. Detroit used a 32-13 stretch to cut the gap to three, bringing the contest back within reach before the final period.

The Celtics rebuilt a 12-point lead early in the fourth, but Robinson scored 11 consecutive Detroit points to reduce Boston's advantage to 99-98. He then assisted a Green three-pointer, and Jalen Duren added a three-point play. Another Robinson three-pointer made it 107-99 with 5:13 remaining, as the Pistons turned their recovery into a lead.

Green's last three-pointer completed the 23-0 surge and put Detroit ahead 112-99 with 3:33 left. He finished with 19 points, converting five of eight three-point attempts. The Free Press reported that Detroit improved from four three-pointers in 18 first-half attempts to 11 in 22 after the interval. Robinson made five of nine from long range across the game.

Cade Cunningham and Duren each finished with 22 points, with Cunningham also supplying eight assists and Duren collecting nine rebounds. Detroit held Boston to 38.5% shooting in the second half and won the second-chance scoring battle 24-16, according to the Free Press. Those contributions complemented the shooting turnaround that carried the Pistons to their first win of the season.