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DETROIT – While Jaylen Brown was struggling against the offense so far this season, Brad Stevens still asked him if he wanted to try his luck to defend one of the most prominent players in the NBA.
Not only did Brown slow down the much bigger Blake Griffin, but his attack also got bigger.
Brown scored 19 points and Marcus Morris added 18 points for the Boston Celtics in a 109-89 win Saturday night against the Detroit Pistons, who lost their first game of the season.
Brown averaged 8.6 points per game this season, compared with 14.5% last year.
"I did not stumble," Brown said. "And I had kept watch before, especially during my rookie year. In fact when Blake was (with the Los Angeles Clippers), I kept him a little. I was so familiar when Brad asked me.
Andre Drummond had 18 points and eight rebounds, and Stanley Johnson scored the highest total of the season with 16 for Detroit, who had won his first four games of the season for the first time since 2008-09. Griffin averaged 33.8 points per game, shooting 55.7% on the field and 65.2% starting from 3. He missed his first seven shots, including four to three points.
"I just missed open shots early," Griffin said. "I thought I tried to attack from time to time and reach the foul line, but that did not happen that way."
He scored seven points in 30 minutes, finished 2 of 13 on the court and 0-4 from the depth.
"Blake is a handful," said Stevens. "We knew we mostly had to play small (Griffin) or Drummond, so we just tried to be very active with these guys."
Detroit managed 37.6% to shoot 37.6% (18.9%) of the 3-point range this season. Boston shot 14 for 34 (41.2%) from deep.
"It's disappointing," said Pistons coach Dwane Casey. "A match is not a season. That should catch our attention and show us how much we have to play every night. "
The Celtics opened a lead of 103-74 with more than 5:15 to play, a first in the first consecutive games.
Casey was tried for his first technical foul against Detroit to protest a first-quarter call after Griffin hit the ground. Morris's subsequent free-kick was crowned with an 8-0 record that allowed Boston to score 23-11 in the first quarter.
The Boston bench was 34-5 ahead of Detroit in the first period, while the Celtics opened a 26-point lead in the second quarter. The former most important deficit of the Pistons season was 12 points in the opening match against Brooklyn.
Daniel Theis, who according to Stevens was dubious to play with a foot injury, scored 14 points and seven rebounds before half-time. He finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Gordon Hayward scored 15 points, a high in the season, and Terry Rozier added 14 points on the bench for Boston.
TIP-INS
Celtics: Aron Baynes, who has played for two seasons in Detroit, missed his third straight game with a sprained right hamstring. . Jabari Bird has not played this season yet for personal reasons.
Pistons: Detroit was playing its first game since the injury to goalkeeper Luke Kennard, who had sprained the air conditioner's articulation at the right shoulder on Thursday. … Drummond inadvertently fired on Al Horford in the third quarter, which earned him a bloody nose. He did not leave the game. Jon Leuer played for the first time this season, his first appearance since October 31, 2017. He missed 74 games last season because of an ankle injury and then underwent an operation in the leg during of the season. Leuer scored four points.
GET THE COMFORT
Theis was two points off his career high of 19, which he set last season in Detroit.
"He probably wanted to play here," said Stevens. "When we lose a guy like Baynes, we need everyone else to make it happen."
Theis was under evaluation after the match with a right heel injury, according to the Celtics.
Better move
Stevens thought the Celtics had been offensive this season, leading Saturday to an average of 100.0 points per game, making it second in the league.
"Our pace is better, which is good," said Stevens. "If we play as much for nine players, or if ten players, we could as well advance a little faster."
BEASTING BOSTON
Drummond entered the game scoring 17.1 points per game against Boston during his career, his record against any opponent.
GET THE BALL
Rookie Bruce Brown scored his first NBA points for the Pistons, finishing with six points. He missed his first four field goal attempts and two free throws.
FOLLOWING
Celtics: Tuesday, they welcome Detroit in the second game of the set.
Pistons: Tuesday will open a sequence of six games where the Pistons will play five on the road.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, disseminated, rewritten or redistributed.
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