The Celtics (39-9), who host Minnesota tomorrow, have outscored opponents by an average of more than 18 points during the streak. But the Pistons (25-20) stayed in contention to the end before losing their third straight to the Celtics this season.
"It was a good win because it was hard-fought, almost a playoff atmosphere with the banging and shoving, and we just hung in there," coach Doc Rivers said. "We didn't play great and I don't know if they did, either. There were some ugly stretches of offense for both teams, but both teams are very good defensively. So when we play each other, that's the type of game you get."
The Celtics led by 11 in the first quarter. But instead of falling back, the Pistons rallied. In two previous wins, the Celtics outscored the Pistons in the second quarter, 30-10 and 28-19. This time, the Pistons won the second-quarter battle, 25-20.
The Celtics seemed set to take over in the second half, but despite failing to score from the field in the first 3:40, the Pistons stayed in contention. The Celtics scored 8 successive points over a 2:22 span early in the second half, Perkins's tip-in providing a 51-42 lead.
Just as the Pistons seemed poised to rally, the Celtics took over following Perkins's ejection.
The play began when Rasheed Wallace missed from close range. Maxiell appeared to push Eddie House before grabbing the rebound, then was hit in the head by Perkins before he could try a putback. Maxiell shoved Perkins, earning a technical foul, with Perkins getting ejected for a flagrant foul. Ray Allen converted the technical foul shot and Maxiell missed both at the line, but Richard Hamilton's jumper kept the Pistons within 71-67 with 5:41 remaining.
"It was a hard foul by Perk," Rivers said. "We don't want them getting the layup but we don't want him getting thrown out of the game. And with the way the rules are now - we could have used Perk."
