Detroit Pistons held off a final possession Monday night to secure a 104-103 win over the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena in a matchup between the Eastern Conference’s top two records.
Tobias Harris led Detroit with 25 points, providing steady scoring in a game that featured 11 ties and five lead changes before halftime.
The Pistons improved to 31-10 and maintained their hold on the conference lead with a win built on balance, ball movement, and timely perimeter shooting.
Jalen Duren added 18 points and nine rebounds, anchoring the interior while battling Boston’s frontcourt for most of the night.
Cade Cunningham finished with 16 points and 14 assists, controlling tempo and consistently creating scoring opportunities in half-court sets.
Duncan Robinson chipped in 15 points, including five three-pointers, one of which gave Detroit a five-point cushion midway through the fourth quarter.
Boston was carried offensively by Jaylen Brown, who scored 32 points on 11-of-28 shooting and repeatedly attacked off the dribble.
Brown and Cunningham were both named All-Star starters earlier in the day, adding extra weight to a matchup that already carried playoff-level intensity.
Detroit entered the fourth quarter with an 84-82 edge, and neither team was able to create separation as defensive pressure increased.
Brown briefly put Boston ahead with 3:20 remaining, but Harris answered with a three-pointer that restored the Pistons’ lead at 99-97.
The Celtics had multiple chances late, but Brown missed two free throws with 1:58 left and later converted a runner to cut the deficit to one.
Cunningham missed a jumper with five seconds remaining, giving Boston the final possession with 4.4 seconds on the clock.
Brown’s contested jumper from the right wing fell short as time expired, sealing Detroit’s narrow victory.
Payton Pritchard scored 17 points for Boston, while Sam Hauser added 16 on efficient shooting.
The Celtics shot 40 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range, struggling to find consistent rhythm against Detroit’s switching defense.
Detroit finished with 24 assists and forced 14 turnovers, a margin that proved decisive in a one-point game.
The Pistons visit New Orleans on Wednesday, while Boston returns home to host Indiana in its next outing.
