With Derrick White catching fire in the second half, the Boston Celtics slammed the brakes on the Detroit Pistons' 13-game tear in this NBA Cup home thriller.
Facing the red-hot, East-leading Detroit Pistons, the Boston Celtics refused to wilt — and Derrick White made sure of it.
White erupted for 25 of his 27 points in the second half, lifting Boston to a gripping 115–112 victory over the Pistons that snapped Detroit’s 13-game winning streak in their NBA Cup showdown on Thursday, November 27 (PH time).
After being held to just two points before halftime, the 31-year-old guard found his rhythm in explosive fashion, torching the Pistons for 14 third-quarter points that helped Boston seize a slim 86–83 edge entering the fourth.
White kept the momentum rolling in the final frame, pouring in 11 more points and drilling a clutch three-pointer that pushed the Celtics ahead, 111–107, with just over a minute left.
With the game hanging on the balance and Boston holding a 113-110 lead, Jordan Walsh sent Cade Cunningham to the line with 9.1 seconds left after fouling him on a three-point attempt.
Cunningham calmly sank the first two but missed the potential game-tying free throw, paving the way for Payton Pritchard to ice the game with two clutch foul shots.
Jaylen Brown anchored Boston with a monster stat line of 33 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, while Pritchard added 14 off the bench.
The victory elevated the Celtics to 2–2 in NBA Cup play and 10–8 overall.
Cunningham shone in the loss, posting a game-high 42 points alongside eight rebounds and five assists.
The setback ended Detroit’s month-long unbeaten run and slipped to 15-3 still leading the East.
The Pistons will conclude their NBA Cup group campaign against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, November 29 (PH time).
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.