The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 in a game that flipped entirely after Boston built a 22-point lead. Detroit's comeback was powered by a decisive advantage at the free-throw line and on the offensive glass, turning a lopsided contest into a statement win.

Detroit shot 39-of-86 from the field and 15-of-40 from three-point range, but the difference came at the stripe, where the Pistons converted 28 of 32 free throws compared to Boston's 16 of 21. That 12-point gap at the line accounted for the entire final margin and more. The Pistons also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, generating 24 second-chance points, while Boston managed just 16 second-chance points on 12 offensive boards. Detroit's 44 points in the paint further underlined their interior control.

Boston's shooting numbers were nearly identical from the floor - 40-of-88 overall and 17-of-42 from deep - but the Celtics attempted only 21 free throws to Detroit's 32. Boston's 10 steals and 21 points off turnovers kept them competitive, yet 26 personal fouls sent Detroit to the line repeatedly and disrupted the Celtics' defensive rhythm. Neither side recorded a technical or flagrant foul, and no penalties were assessed in the game.

The flow of the contest shifted on two fronts. Boston's 22-point lead evaporated as Detroit's offensive rebounding extended possessions and their free-throw accuracy punished Boston's foul trouble. The Pistons' 27 assists on 39 made field goals reflected balanced ball movement, while Boston's 28 assists came with a lower conversion rate at the line. Detroit's biggest lead reached 13, completing a swing of 35 points from Boston's peak advantage. The Pistons vs Boston Celtics lineups and key players, tactics were defined by Detroit's physical interior play and Boston's inability to defend without fouling down the stretch.