1986 Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics 3/2/86 Danny Ainge Career High Bird+McHale=Big games

[Music] the first half this season the slumping Detroit Pistons were a frustrated team even cheerful Isiah Thomas lost some spirit but how things have changed with sizzling Kelly Tripucka and red-hot all-star MVP Thomas leading the way the Pistons have turned it around and basketball is once again fun in Detroit winning is nothing new to Larry Bird whose remarkable play they earned him his third straight MVP award but now the Boston Celtics have more than just bird they have Jeff Scott Wedman adds offensive punch and Bill Walton has proved to be the latest link in a Celtic tradition of teams basketball when you've got the best record in the game things often go your way but today in Boston the Celtics must meet the challenge of the NBA's hottest team the Detroit Pistons and we've got two teams on a roll today the Boston Celtics filled with the best record in the league and the Detroit Pistons here at sold-out Boston Garden and as you look at the Central Division standings the Pistons with a club record ten in a row they've not been able again on first place Milwaukee however because the also have won ten straight games and good afternoon everyone I'm dick Stockton's and welcome to the NBA on CBS this is not a place that any visiting team wants to play because the Boston Celtics have lost only one game at Boston Garden all year but Tommy Heinsohn the Detroit Pistons are anxious to inflate the defeat number two on the Celtics they had such troubles early they've turned it around why but I think dick that Kelly Tripucka had a bad knee he didn't play enough minutes that's come around he's playing more minutes getting more shots they've worked in him for the offense better and also a new concept twin midgets Isiah Thomas and the rookie Joe Dumars presents different defensive problems to the guards of the teams throughout the league than they normally expect the Celtics are healthier than they have been Kevin McHale who didn't play against the Lakers is back he's not starting Scott Wedman still is and usually games between these teams feature the inside play of Boston and the outside perimeter shooting of the Pistons well I tell you a Chuck Daly is really afraid more afraid of Wedman right now be we'll have the starting lineups for these teams beginning of course with the visiting Detroit Pistons they can score Kelly Tripucka who's been red-hot Kent Benson playing well Bill Laimbeer the leading rebounder in the league upfront and the twin midgets Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars as Tommy mentioned Chuck Daly done a fine job bringing the Pistons back for the Boston Celtics they still go with Scott Wittman along with Larry Bird upfront and Robert Parish is having a fine year and that smile indicates how he feels about the season Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge in the backboard and another outstanding coaching job by Casey Jones the officials working today is Darell Garretson and Lee Jones now this is a very special day for all of us at CBS because of something earned by my partner Tom Heinsohn and for that let's go to the public address announcer and Egypt please gentlemen the Boston Celtics are pleased to acknowledge today's announcement that Tommy Heinsohn the former Celtics player and coach has been voted in for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield Massachusetts [Applause] please join with us in congratulating Tommy for his Kazuma the honor he does deserve it Tom Heinsohn it took a while but good things happen to those who wait and Tommy you've got to feel great about this I mean the best honor you've ever had huh well I my teammates were all great players you know and we never really were out there in this fat department but I think that's a tribute to the self-esteem of that era and played so well as a team and this is the tribute you richly deserve and they're still on their feet for Tommy Heinsohn one more Tommy Tommy Heinsohn and five others elected to the Hall of Fame and will tell you who they are a little later on in the program meanwhile we're getting underway the Pistons will be in the traveling blue bill laimbeer will jump against Robert Parish for the Celtics Celtics have won four in a row 25 out of 28 and they control the tip they put Dumars on Dennis Johnson so that means Isiah Thomas is guarding Ainge Benson is on Larry Bird who goes in with the first I don't think we're going to see as much running today dick as perhaps we have in the past particularly by the Pistons who want to defend less possession so they don't want to run they do when the opportunity is there but in fact they don't Benson hits outside Benson has started 23 in a row and the Pistons have lost only four of those games so he's given them solid minutes Dennis Johnson who had a wrist problem went to the doctor yesterday shows no ill effects as the Celtics lead four to two you talked about the new guard arrangement by the Pistons how that works with two point guards Isiah Thomas and Joe Joe Dumars you really could put a pressure on that big guard of the opposition these time used to playing a penetrator like Joe Dumars DJ is going to be a key man in the defense consultants today Bill Laimbeer who makes his living offensively hitting that kind of a shot outside ties the ballgame up there's my return Thomas the rebound the normally we see em to end coast-to-coast basketball and maybe not so much that today Benson comes in any points they get from Benson has to be a bonus exactly right dick butt on that penetration at time by Isiah Thomas that's how they're developing their inside game make the low post defenders move and it opens up for easy passes Harris got three inside and we have another tie by the way Benson scored 15 points in the first period Friday against Atlanta prior to that he had been in a scoring slump computer doubled up with bird and weapon loses the ball Isaiah Thomas told me before the game that trip Yuka's the key to the Pistons winning today Wedman mrs. Thomas winds up with it and it's a four on two break for the Pistons to Mars in the corner and Detroit lead pistons are an excellent pull-up jump shooting team off the break they don't necessarily have to take its trunk to the hoop Chuck Daly who had problems early in the year and his future might have been in doubt but he may be talking again with Detroit about the future in Detroit with the piston inside daily by the way as a free agent at the end of this year Paris has done so much more offensively and able to do that now with Wedman in the lineup dick it pulls out the defense and he can go one-on-one against a guy like lamby Rose not going to play a lot of stuff to finish early fouls Dumars gets the offensive rebound he's open smart boys rookie out of McNeese State in Louisiana James doesn't go for the Falcon Thomas has too much speed bird gets the rebound lead to Ainge getting back to pukka pukka made eight try to earn that play good play by Kelly Tripucka Thomas runs into Dennis Johnson in the ball a foul on Isiah a really difficult job I'm trying to contain a real flea like Isaiah Thomas you can't go for fakes you got to keep them in between your knees so he can't penetrate just under nine minutes remaining in the opening period high scores you've already had four times parish [Applause] Denis Johnson saves it just before it goes over the line aims quickly for three he didn't have much time to square up for that shot and danny ainge three-pointer gives Boston a lead by that many last year the Celtics and pistons met in these Eastern semifinals with the Celtics winning in six Tripucka hitting his first outside shot Kelly Tripucka has been a major factor in the Detroit Street just getting more shots and they're calling his number on set plays a lot more Byrd when you call the foul on Kent Benson from behind Benson do you or don't you double-team Larry Bird in the low post that's what the Pistons are wondering today what they should do there because he kills you with passes when you double-team on things he'll beat you one way or another Ames top parish again they double with Dumars rotating quick shifting defense but Danny Ainge Danny Ainge has been in a slump you wouldn't know it by his two outside shots so far but he has been but he keeps trucking away with his quickness in his hustle Thomas with his first point so all five piston starters are on the board you don't contain Isaiah Thomas either he's got that good outside shot what you try to take that away sippy goes by it Dennis Johnson pulls up gets the ball bird normally that's a chippy for Whitman and it was a fine pass by bird do mark still do mocks the third guard in the draft has been starting sending John long to practically oblivion and score now is 14 to 13 piston largely a half-court game for both sides so far all this outside shooting they get a third man back on defense pretty easily Wedman gets the offensive board bird inside what a play by bird moving without the ball Walton and McHale how do you like to have those two coming off the fence for you unbelievable when when those two guys Jimmy Thomas hits his second in a row Isaiah had 39 points in Detroit's win over Boston Larry Bird had 47 in one game for the Celtics against the Paris [Applause] they are able to develop because the defense of the pistols been spread out parish is much more arrested at this juncture of the season than he has been in the past because of bill Waltons presence one-point lead for the Celtics over weapons blocking out his bird nearly halfway through this opening stanza Dennis Johnson goes all the way Laimbeer outlet pass two on one Dumars and detroit takes the lead again 18 to 17 oh they're just pushing the ball at the defense and nobody's willing to go out particularly a bird and challenge a real tricky triplet given up the outside shot surprised Washington leading Milwaukee with a 10 game winning streak as Larry Bird has six points in the ball game without outside shot the Bucks playing outstanding ball with the third best record in the NBA but they're 10 games streak is on the line shot won't go and a foul called against the Celtics and we have our first time out of the game with 533 to go in the opening period it's been that close if you're going to give up layups Pistons will inbound shooting so far the game both teams shooting well Detroit out of sight saya Thomas who thought about quitting at some point this year when the pistons were really wallowing enjoying the game a lot more sure puka has a screen from Benson nothing doing there Bert is playing like a safety man he's not really guarding Kelly and he gets to me the wide open shot and it's short and a loose ball foul ball against the piston good blocking out that time by the Celtics they had a wall of three white jerseys there Tommy it looks like bird is allowing trip yuca to get off that shot well Whitman's supposed to be playing them he switched that time and Chuck Daly wants bird to play chirp yuca because that's the only guy he feels that can will make bird play a little defense boston ball in Kevin McHale who came back from a sore Achilles tendon comes back in the ball game he's missed 14 of the last 17 games but played 26 minutes or 30 minutes and scored 26 against the Clippers on Friday night he had hit a three-pointer and a long-range shot earlier Celtics by one Laimbeer McHale the rebound so Mikael in the game Whitman goes out now you're saying Chuck Daly doesn't mind this light of the day ain't it no because he feels that your pupil will get Birds attention defensively and take them out of that team defensive concept okay okay trying to get free and bird is guarding him McHale is guarding Laimbeer and they have Parrish on ten Benson well the reason that they've got McHale on land here is because they want to take away the outside shot they feel the calf can get up closer to mom in the parish kevin thomas with six Dumars with six so the backcourt for Detroit leading the way so far 2120 Celtics plenty of time on the shot clock here's the disadvantage to compute the garden bird and an illegal defense called against the Pistons and Isiah Thomas is the guilty party a great height advantage over Kelly Tripucka but the kill is going to be a problem unless he gets blocked out defensive rebound at that time Kevin McHale Larry Bird eight points and it looks like he has his long range shooting eyes on today 23 220 the Celtics lead under four minutes remaining 354 to be exactly Dumars off the screen and detroit staying in the game with their outside shooting well they have a play a counter play a triple pick for Kelly Tripucka sometimes for Joe Dumars game taking a lot of shots today to try to get his shooting eye back Thomas Bao by Justin from behind and that's only the second canal against Boston they are effectively being able to stop each other's fast break because Tripp Cooper is an outside shooter he makes an easy transition into the defense and showed us bird normally the Pistons do our score the Celtics in the backcourt it's another story up front though going inside and Thomas breaks free good play by Isiah Thomas they got mixed up on their defense the Celtics Danny Ainge made a bad mistake eight points for Dumars who's four for four from the field and eight points for Isiah Thomas 16 of the 24 nobody has been able to effectively contain Kevin McHale that time they isolated him with no chance of help Boston by one under three minutes to go trip yoga against bird bird hits the floor taken away by McHale Kevin McHale can handle it and dribble it not too often though I'm sure Casey Jones does someone to see a lot of that a year ago tomorrow Kevin McHale scored 56 points here in the garden against the Pistons the most points ever scored against Detroit the doctor thing this was Friday night in Dallas with the score tied that shot won the game and watched the Philadelphia 76ers celebrate the doctor giving the Sixers a 3 point win over Dallas Julius Erving Charles Barkley in the rest of the Philadelphia 76ers against the Indiana Pacers next Sunday Kent Benson has had all kinds of trouble God and Kevin McHale over the years even I guess maybe in big 10 days but he's not going to be able to get any help there's no room as a total isolation down there no chance for double teams on Kevin Thomas goes right by and draws the foul that was sheer quickness and change of direction for Isiah Thomas the all-star MVP for the second time in three years and he'll shoot Isiah penetrates like that and gets by his man that forces the backline of the other team's defense to adjust and they lose their concentration on their own man foul was on the kale when people talk about Detroit not having a good inside game offensively a lot of times the guard set that up yeah absolutely right thick because if Isiah or Joe Dumars can penetrate and move the backline in the defense Laimbeer and Benson Church get offensive rebound birth fines Ange on the other side wide open up Danny Ainge and here's TRO Fuca with the rebound the Celtics lead by two Pistons trying to tie it up keratin filling the lane does Earl Cureton has been the backup power forward after starting the first 12 games of the year ties the score two minutes to go in the first you know with Wedman being out of the ballgame the pistons may really have a lot more opportunities to fast-break never-bird for 10 points now Larry Bird averaging 25 points a game the only one in the league amongst the leaders in five separate categories 1:40 on the clock Dumars find strip UK in the corner so far the Pistons have indeed been immensely successful with their perimeter shooting when an outside shooter like Tripp yuka gets his game gone it's tough to shut him down bird is doubled with Dumars and Tripp yuka same play again to aim so on he's covered Dumars doing a job on Dennis Johnson and the foul is committed on Dumars you're going to see the fourth man up the trailer as they put heat on the Celtics defense a four on two and they really spread them out and this opens our lunch slower with Wedman being on the bench right now the Pistons have to fast a ballclub out there and the fast-break points illustrate that so Dennis Johnson is shooting right now and misses the first one coming into the ballgame Gerry see sting who has been outstanding is the third guard for the Celtics formerly with Indiana and Vinnie Johnson who can light up any arena coming in for the Pistons replacing Vinnie Johnson of course has an amazing 34 points against the Celtics in the playoffs last year and then have 35 in November this year against Boston so I think she likes his team still a problem they've got twin twin midgets you don't consider penny Johnson a but he plays the point guard position good passer high score with Dennis Johnson missing both free throws billing here short Dennis Johnson the rebound with a minute to go in the opening period McHale guarded by Cureton doubled with Vinnie Johnson leaving C stiopa Perry slaps it down to birth and an offensive foul called against Larry Bird who doesn't like [Music] his furniture puker really gets positioned up on him doesn't go for the fake and kind of gives it a active studio job heavily and me for that that's the first boston turnover and I agree with bird on that forty seconds to go 14 on the clock and we have an offensive foul pole against the Pistons come interview to his first and Bill Walton who's been a hero here in Boston comes into the ball game Detroit has ajust a dead defense very very nicely here in the first quarter thick depending upon who's spending the game for the Celtics they've made the proper adjustments bird nearly had his 12th point in and out it with a half a minute to go scores tied at 29 Pistons look to take the lead troit led only once that at 8 to 6 but they had one-point lead throughout this first period to Mars overseas game and Dumars by the way Tommy talks about the ability to play both guard spots Dumars is in there because he's the best defensive player the Pistons ever had according to Chuck Daly they say he may be getting a little tired not for my offense but for playing end to end defense bird gets free from trip into the redwood trees and the buzzer sounds ending the period with the Detroit Pistons leading 31 to 29 and off the boards Bill Laimbeer who's leading the lead has 9 rebounds to spark Detroit [Music] and I think we can be a pretty good basketball team but I think more so than anything we have to be lucky luck will play a very important part in the way we play what kind of luck one guy on a team getting injured and it's some other things that's what he's done so far but in since the all-star break Tommy he's been another world 26 points in 12 assists and he is just playing on a new level probably one of the few guards in the NBA that can take over the game and last two minutes and still make you win the ball second period dick Stockton and Tom Heinsohn Kelly Tripucka it's again terrific with six points in the ball game by the way we'll be hearing from Pat O'Brien at the half and a very interesting at the half segment coming up today so stay with us Walton guarded by Laimbeer short with it and the rebound by Laimbeer that's his 10th man here let's play some very nice defense here in this first tab keeps Walton outside offensively so the big man has to move away bird is on trip yuca he's off to a good start coming around the screen from here that trip yuca hits again [Music] Jukka bird has left them all alone and I think to Pewter they may have to rethink that situation 35:29 six-point lead open up by the throat of the kale with six points of his own narrows it again tight ball game throughout and in the first period the Celtics just under 50 but look at Detroit's dazzling 68% Vinnie Johnson and it goes for BJ who likes to play against the Celtics and then doin classic textbook running through their offense right now the Pistons big part of their success story Bernhard over Trabuco short Vinnie Johnson knocks it away but they say it was last touched by the Celtics old reinforcements Isiah Thomas returns to the game for the Pistons Rick Mahorn comes in Larry Bird is out of the game for Boston Whitman comes back in for the Celtics the three men got a guard rotation they don't go to the fourth guard the Pistons which is help finis Johnson's games he written out the trip yuka guarded by Dennis Johnson foul on the play so Dennis Johnson is guarding Kelly who's fouled by the way the three piston guards are 10 of 11 from the floor in this game so forth twin midgets effect has really made some dividends here a penetration range wasn't able to contain that Norris easting and DJ not able to really contain Dumars foul on Dennis Johnson was his second and of course this crowd used to seeing the Celtics roll and sometimes it takes him a while to do so and nothing a cheer about ways the Pistons 38:31 is Kapooka makes one out of two Duke over North Carolina 62 to 60 in the second half of that Atlantic Coast Conference batter at Durham McHale guarded by curat what anybody you want in the league on him and he's become such a great low post player nobody can stop him what's the fake right here sees the double team developed with trip yuca at a corner of his eye gives it a second fake and it's in McHale has hit all four of his shots from the field so he has given the Celtics something last a big guard type they want to know what the three little people you're gonna beat that into the ground all right well I'll tell you that it is it is a throwback it's a renaissance of all-time basketball guards speaking of guards not so little Rick Carlisle is in the ballgame for the Celtics and Vinnie Johnson with great balance suspended in the air scores so Johnson has four off the bench and the Pistons lead by six to Carlisle's in the game would see sting in the backup guards in for Boston this is that true second unit right now means all right yep McHale fires it knocked away by Cureton they anticipated the pass the Walton nice for us Isaiah Thomas I had an easy one that time just jelly said we can't give up those kind of baskets 9:20 remaining in the first half Liana six for Detroit the horn battling Walton see sting with a good fake on Thomas good passing Carlyle hit they sting made that play happen park see sting and Carlisle are getting to know each other and the Carlisle should be shooting a little bit more he's a flying outside shooter and a fine game against the Lakers in Los Angeles some things have been getting great results from their bench all the way down to the 10th and 11th man Vinnie Johnson Kevin McHale the rebound outlets out positioning two-on-one with Carlisle against I say a fast-break affair and the crowd seems to enjoy it all Boston should haven't had troubles getting the fast-break started dick getting beaten Justins are getting three guys back quickly McHale key man for the board's inside to start the break big crowd in the middle for Tripp Yuka 5 on the shot clock in a crowd traveling call against Kelly Tully Campbell and in the second year from Ohio State and got a chance to play early when Kelly Tripucka spent a lot of time on the bench replaces Trabuco who goes out with 9 points for Detroit Chuck Daly told me dick that the reason Campbell played a lot of time is that Kelly was subject to injuries and they had to find a guy you that Campbell or Tyler went in on the board two points for Scott Wittman and we have another tie that's our seventh of the game Wedman commits the foul against Tony Campbell by playing him in the early part of the season Chuck Daly found out he's got quite a basketball player there that he can give Kelly Tripucka some good rest he can shoot and he's the better defensive player than Trabuco off the screen is Vinnie Johnson Carlisle family in France and he commits the foul third team foul against Boston but this time Vinnie Johnson will shoot the Celtics have a head feeling about Vinnie Johnson he has really heard them over the years he seems to be able to eat up the Boston gods and the reason is because he plays like a quick quote plays bigger than he is he jumps over there people know that 22 point fourth period last year at the Joe Louis Arena I mean that was the most electrifying moment that I remember in the playoffs last year other than championship Detroit hot from the backcourt to say the least 11 of 13 and a one-point piston lead michail lost the ball Vinnie Johnson has Campbell downcourt Thomas guarded by Wedman see with the mismatches it's Campbell and see sting trying to post up see sting they haven't found them yet now they have Tony Campbell goes up and call for the offensive foul think Jerry see sting got a little away with the little Stanislavski defense you know Actors Studio bird getting set to come back in for the Celtics with 7:25 remaining in the first half dick Stockton Tom Heinsohn Pat O'Brien here at Boston Garden off the screen weapon Campbell playing fine defense against Scotty he scored the Campbell played him as well as he can play he beat him over the pick and he went back with him and he got on his shooting hand he can't do much better than that Celtics by 1 12 lead changes this unit for the Celtics has been able to fast break whereas the first shoe has woken up Thomas mrs. wall outlet back to Thomas in a crowd Thomas puts it on past [Applause] there's no chance defending Isiah Thomas and he dished it off to Earl Cureton who will shoot I mean he teases you with the ball and when he can penetrate watch him pull the ball off the outlet he's teasing the Carlisle with the ball slips by him and look at that nice lay down pass to the forward made the back line move on defense defenses in the NBA have not been able to come to grips with the outside shooters on the court for the Celtics and it's something novel by putting Kevin McHale back into the lineup as a starter it allowed them to go back to their old defense that has been you know double down on low close play but it's an awful difficult decision for Casey Jones yeah because how can you keep this guy from starting when he is Kevin McHale and people have to watch for that matchup right off the top of the game I would you know it's tough not to go with the combination as producing big wins and a lot of fun and a certain style of basketball the pieces wings point well-taken turret misses the first free throw the foul by the way was on Bill Walton Detroit not shooting well from the line 4 for 8 and with 6:46 to go another time Ricky Mahone is going to end up playing defense against Robert Parish see sting in the corner that was a lead pass 5 bird what a pass by bird it was like a quarterback who throws to a spot instead of the player that's the one I'm talking about the new style defense they don't know how to really go out and stop the outside game but it was the pass by bird that I haven't seen in a long time that way going to a point that could have been thrown away turnover Celtics have it leading by two Puritan on bird bird gets the baseline on [Applause] coming back in his bill laimbeer who has ten rebounds in the ball game and sparked Detroit's first period lead [Music] Puritan commits the foul [Music] [Music] so here's Larry Bird and people saying maybe not the best non Center ever to play the game but maybe the best period ever to play the game I like right now is that this man has reached another plateau in the game I mean he's at the plateau right now he's willing things to happen he's making them happen with his mind you know like the guy that can move a salt shaker on the table that's what's going on in his head 12 points per bird he's the leading scorer in the game Dumars with 10 leads Detroit do bars not in there right now Laimbeer back in action with a line drive shot by bill led the league in rebounding most of the year Chuck they lease against as much of his ability as anyone in the league see sting off the screen double-team loose ball pistons doubling nicely Vinnie Johnson with weapon background Luke said to Tony can be a very fast team out there right now and the Celtics being careless with the ball shot Larry Bird with 14 points and the Celtics break the tie Thomas basket good and a foul on the baseline and he can put the Pistons in front you know what really makes it tough with Isiah Thomas is that if he comes down the right side of the court and you push him back to the middle he can beat you if you try and keep them in front like see sting is right now he could by you and it frees up his shooting hand so you're damn good for two and damned if you don't Isiah Thomas now with 12 points and the Celtics bring back their starting cart and Danny Ainge with the ball along with Dennis Johnson and a bird 6 of 12 make it 7 of 13 and 16 points for bird as Boston leads by one winding down the five minutes to go in the first half they're going to call traveling in spirit - trying to make a move on they'd have had curtain for the last few weeks looking for a shot at low post hoping to develop a solid inside game Celtics by one their biggest lead was poor Detroit had a seven-point lead in the second period early Wedman bounce when the Pistons beat the Celtics in their one meeting in January Earl Cureton at a great game 12 rebounds he astok play I'll tell you when he comes off the bench something's gonna happen he has a championship ring to his credit he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers of the 83 outfit nine on the shot clock Thomas looking inside Laimbeer hits they're coming off screen just like you'd I agree but I got such good outside shooters Lamphere can hit from out there that's a great shot for a center the Animas do that parish can't fight food picks to live and die by the outside shot so far the Pistons are living with it Whitman on the Miss five parish banks it in for the Celtics will lead at 50 to 250 one with four minutes remaining in the first half ames trying to go for the ball on thomas try not to get faked out probably we're almost walk the crowd would have called it wild shot by Vinnie Johnson Bert knocked away or they're scrapping Detroit today aren't they on the other side Kyra they are playing a scrapping game that's the benefit of Tony Campbell I mean he's a much better rebounder than Trump Jukka and almost as good a shooter better defender but you need Kelly in there who has nine points not in there at the moment nine for Danny aid 3:20 to go national television that was a classic 20 lead changes in this first half here at Boston Garden where the Celtics have lost only once all year from Larry Bird they're the guys will be coming in shortly when you spread out the defense like the Celtics can do and pass as well as they can cutters make easy hoops Isiah Thomas 14 bird 16 who else did you think would be high scores at this point his right again and he'll go to the line Larry Bird and Isaiah Thomas two great players they lead their team in just about every category you can't blame Isiah for not leading his team and rebound we have a timeout 2:45 remaining in the half it's been a one-point game through most of the half and right now the Pistons lead all right dick thank you very much coming up at the half we'll devote the entire at the half to a disturbing story today and in-depth look into this week's Henson Square Garden in New York City they honored Earl the Pearl Monroe a capacity crowd along with some of Earl's former teammates from that great Nick championship team they were all on hand to celebrate the requirement of Earl's number 15 wherever I go in life I'll always be a New York Knick thank you very much he is still the Pearl the hall-of-famer let's go back to dick in our Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn dick thank you very much Pat and of course red Holtzman who coached Earl the Pearl in New York also going into the Hall of Fame at Springfield with Tommy along with Billy Cunningham of the 76ers Stan Watts who coached at Brigham Young Fred Taylor who was John Havlicek coach at Ohio State along with Jerry Lucas and ret mihalick an outstanding official going in to the Hall of Fame and if you joined us late Tommy Heinsohn received a standing ovation from a sellout at Boston Garden let's get back to the game such a humble guy we all appreciate shooting is sensational in this period and for that matter throughout the game bird hits the free throws and he has 18 points and we'll be looking at his his look for the triple-double which is double figures in points rebounds and assists that's the triple-double right now he's put in double figures in points for a long time three-point attempts Isiah Thomas a bad shot off the back rim pistons maintain a toll is 225 on the clock matchups by the Celtics dick Dennis Johnson they just switched off now but I think he's gonna try and God Isaiah Craig kite is in the game guarding Laimbeer he's done well off the bench for the Celtics Tripp yuka still hot is Kelly and he is in double figures with the 11 Pistons regained the lead 24 lead changes a nine times in this game bird doesn't get a foul crowd can't understand it neither can number 33 and it's off Benson's hands out of bounds bird shaking his head but they have now misused too fast break opportunities they've got their leading I think Detroit 16 points to eight points and fast breaks could've had a lot more 1:40 remaining in the half bird going over several players including Laimbeer and in 6259 boston its go at Kelly Tripucka time right now he has difficulty guarding low post players he's the last of a dying breed of that kind of a small quick forward now on will be six eight and delete computers he comes out shooting the basket and will have a foul on Laimbeer I believe away from the basket [Music] Chuck Daly can't understand it the basket will count by so pupil healing has come by this first half what limpia relatively unscathed in the file department offensive foul that time I kind of heard him but he usually gets tough on defense not worried about it he'll Isaiah Thomas three on one Kelly Tripucka the other man they're trying to take advantage of his defensive deficient series of Dubuque ax has 15 points in his own right Dennis Johnson regains control another shot up again third time's a charm for DJ 50 seconds to go in the first half the Pistons lead by one biggest lead was seven by Detroit early in the second period watch how Detroit lines up three outside isolating Thomas who's found they're sending it to the baseline on the pick and roll plays catching on the board's after the missed a big guard can help on the boys ooh watch him just hang tough pull it down and with nobody behind it now kisses it off the glass easily Ainge on the foul and here is Thomas 14 points so far in the game second in the league in assists behind Magic Johnson pistons continue to struggle from the free-throw line Rick Mahorn the enforcer back in there for the pistol and Bill Laimbeer goes out late beer has scored six eight assists for Isiah Thomas today averaging 11 as you saw Andy misses both free throws but Detroit winds up with it the horn and the former Washington bullet right dick Jacob at the big guy make him react and then find his man Isaiah does it beautifully bird can't save it it still it has becomes Detroit coal 24 seconds to go in the hand three-point lead for Detroit Duke beat North Carolina by that store today and so if you've switched over we've got a hot one going at Boston Garden between the Celtics and of the Detroit Pistons who have won 10 in a row a record 65-62 Detroit playing for the last shot of the first half Isiah Thomas hiked the rebound three seconds something had it gone but that is the end of the first half Detroit led by two after one period and they've added to their lead and the Pistons trying to make it 11 in a row against the team with the best record leading the Celtics 65 to 62 coming up Pat O'Brien at the half live from Boston alive from playing basketball in the National Basketball Association with those words NBA commissioner David Stern banned in New Jersey Nets all-star Michael Ray Richardson from the game of basketball good afternoon everybody I'm Pat O'Brien and this is at the half under the day tragedy my from bosky has really not been around in this first half and Laimbeer already has 11 rebound well I don't think they've gone to parish quite as much as they perhaps should have to try and get Laimbeer in a little foul trouble but that's going to allow Olivia to really be freewheeling here in the second half Milwaukee had its 10th game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Washington Bullets today 125 to 104 Detroit can gain a game as Isaiah Thomas Dumars was 5 for 5 from the field for Pincus seven of nine Thomas 6 of 9 in the first half McHale going to work against 10 Vinson hits the kale has been hot from the field and he has 11 points top scorers in the ballgame bird and Tripucka goomar's hasn't missed yet nails are dealing here tight outside ames doing a job on Isaiah Thomas and Laimbeer hit Kevin McHale was practically sitting in Lindy's Jersey and he still got the shot off that's really quick shooting talk to Simon for that man Benson against McHale Betts has been playing good defense 10 on the shot clock I don't think the Soviets have established anybody to go to Danny Ainge for 3 points that's an interesting aspect they certainly have an established powers except early in the ballgame it might be looking to go to McHale a lot more here in this third quarter but the three-pointer by Ainge ties the game up Laimbeer misses and if something can take the lead Dennis Johnson working against Dumars fine defensive player rookie don't forget Pistons try to help to no avail while ampere was reluctant to move off of McHale to really close down a penetration [Music] more than two minutes gone by here in the third period five on this 24-second clock three now trouble and a blind Wow desperation Casey Jones right now I get my rosary beads out because looks like it might be one of those days for the Pistons and his Johnson mrs. Kent Benson the rebound and it's 72 69 in favor of the Pistons Thomas crying see if his luck holds up and it does 18 points for Isaiah 12 assists he is he tough he makes you back up and he pulls up short shoots jumpers goes right left around here Harris getting his opportunity inside Benson with a good outlet Thomas he tries to go by Dennis concentrate Dennis Johnson is him for his third personal foul make no mistake about Isiah Thomas he's no angel out there no he isn't but watch this shot right now by Isaiah from downtown as the clock was about to go off Wow that's lucky basketball don't be fooled by the smile folks 915 remaining in the third we need a lot of good young talent and then there's also Terrence Stansbury Indiana has a way to go but you'll see how far they've come and how far they have to go really when they play the Philadelphia 76ers one o'clock next Sunday on CBS fourth you know Wayman Tisdale reminds me a little bit of Isiah Thomas he's got that smile on his face too only he's banging you when he smiling they've got a lot of good young talent and it'll be easy to see how they play against one of the powers of the league just looking for a takeover guy that's all somebody to come through in a big ball game and that's what was solidified that team one o'clock remember next Sunday Thomas goes for three three minutes gone by third period pistons by three they led by one two after one period and three in the camp look at to mom talk Dennis Johnson Ainge open Danny Ainge 16 points it looks like he's come out of his slump Celtics were able to do well even with it if you look at the top started by Dennis Johnson expensive now to keep him honest with shot they don't go H back guarded by Isaiah Harris changes open parade excellent pickup of the double by Robert Parish to find Danny Ainge eight of 12 for Danny Ames or Kelly Tripucka with 17 points now when they push the ball up the floor quickly the business computer head right for the corner and if the defense is into the lane he's going to get the ball and score he's the man Isiah Thomas told us before the game who has to produce if the Pistons have a shot here's two bars in Trabuco two on two for Detroit Benson Indiana Kent Benson a former number one pick they have some pretty good forwards coming up big people fence here as trailers on the fastbreak they use them very well 7:25 remaining in the third Benson fouls McCann [Applause] to heat up here a little bit I watched his previous trip up the floor Benson said Kevin you're not going to get near that ball a danny ainge the little intimate picks up the rebound second foul on Benson and Kevin McHale going to the line everybody's matchup problem with the top six man in the league last year but starting this season and of course waiting his turn while Scott Wedman produces at forward Casey's got back to the old style you know him starting Kevin in the third quarter is a meaningful change Casey Jones doing another tremendous job as coaching the Celtic team the record same as it was last year the best from over Dennis Johnson banks it in the lamp Dennis Johnson guarding Kelly Tripucka who 9 of 11 [Applause] stop back when you have a passer who can shoot the outside shot as well as some of the Celtics players can it's very difficult to double McHale Pistons lead cut to one tt montly beer and he draws the foul Danny Ainge was doubling Laimbeer knew he was going to be doubled and maybe tripled and wanted to get that shot off quickly for the foul but by little people he knew he could get it off 640 on the clock in the third you know the Pistons in an effort to get the ball more often in the hands of Kelly took puka run a play called hawk free play begins with Isaiah advancing the ball Joe Dumars will run to set a baseline pick underneath the basket leading Detroit that's work to perfection today not so much Hawk 3 but all of those plays off screen Laimbeer is not a big favorite here in Boston he's had several fights with involving Celtic players and [Music] that will rebound to nine points and is outplayed Robert Parish is opposite number great bond lead for the Pistons Dumars make life tough for Dennis Johnson aren't very many guards willing to go up and play tough defense end to end like Joe Dumars double-team on Bird Johnson was open listen Thomas three on one break Dumars each back to Mars to Kent Benson Celtics Dottie travel eyes it back of his head and Casey Jones is angry and he's been hit with a technical foul as Casey Darell Garretson didn't like some of the words coming out of Casey's mouth [Music] Casey now claiming at him worked with that thing but they got up one situation Nicole is made Dumars almost the blind pass behind him at Danny Ainge he ends up having to fight three guys and nice laid out past that time the Benson you don't think something I see in this game sir Denis Johnson's wrist he's turning down the outside shot a little bit he did the last time and then he decided to go in something to watch Larry Bird comes back and maybe it's bird time in Boston 83 to 79 the score Detroit leading Laimbeer Celtic crowd is into the game now bird or the last to get these two Danny Ainge has hit his outside shots today Dennis Johnson has 20 second timeout Larry Bird will get you going members against Philadelphia in January hit those three three-pointers and that's what Larry Bird has done the tremendous impact and as we told you he has six triple doubles in his last 10 games and that is a team man because not only is scoring in double figures but you're getting the ball out off the boards in double figures and assists and if he can pass the ball he is so effective that's what the matchup has meant today between the two of them Byrd and Kelly Tripucka of Detroit Wow he's a he's probably the premier go-to guy because when you get the ball in his hands he's smart enough to know when to take the shot and when to make the pass Detroit trying to hold off Boston right now leading by two with 5:12 remaining in the third Thomas Isiah Thomas with 21 is the high scorer for the piston Birds 22 leads Boston Celtics have contained the penetration a lot better but Isaiah is shooting over Don watts whether and we will take that outside sounded given all the way [Music] [Applause] Walton what a great cheerleader he has been in a sincere one on the bench football 85-83 mr. Dennis Johnson is back on Isaiah Thomas with tamuka out of the ballgame 8 on the clock over Mikael short [Applause] it's really smart defense that time by the Celtics Danny Ainge ended up with computer underneath and the care made a quick switch Paris is out of the ballgame and great kite is in he has seen a lot of action lately as the third-year Center from Brigham Young ideal substitute Lilly works hard in practice to help the other centers bird the great crowd was ready to erupt they have to hold it down at least for the next time wonder why Walton hasn't come in he usually comes in ahead of kite and does height with the rebound on Thomas's face and the Celtics can tie it up Johnson and Detroit gets the rebound Denis Johnson is four for 13 from the field so his injured wrist may indeed be bothering him he's turned down any number of outside shots to take it to the hoop he's been playing the last few weeks looking more for the outside shot than anything Benson with four fouls and a few words to the official goes to the bench replaced by Earl Cureton double on bird chirp yuka stays with him looking for Mikael Puritan commits the foul four team fouls on Detroit one more there in the penalty it would have taken just to play a Larry Bird meant to lose possession of that ball that time what poise on the double four mouths on cured [Applause] 17 for kevin mchale off the bench today and seven for seven from the field he missed only one shot in 11 Friday night looks like Kevin's back and then some Thomas [Applause] to take the lead the Celtic crowd is with them in a Detroit pal and they'll go to the line against the Pistons with kite in there here's Rick Mahorn coming back in before Detroit so we might see some physical play inside I call him Rick Matterhorn he's like mmm the only thing missing from him is snow on the top I mean he really is a white body Vinnie Johnson will also check in for Detroit he scored five points and he can be explosive so there's Mahorn the claim he's a little bit overweight and lost his mobility at the power poise but with the would stress step dropped forward mounting at the center position he's been more productive Jerry see sting is into the ball game Dennis Johnson goes out for the Celtics he has scored five but has had to guard both Thomas and to people that's the tough situation there Celtics now gonna have better outside shooting [Applause] they had with DJ in there Celtics have run off eight straight points the horns physical big man is in the end zone they got Laimbeer and Mahorn at the same time Laimbeer ties the storm whether they look for limpia anytime you stray off him to steps he's getting the ball he's guarded by Dumars doubling bird [Applause] great kite battling his way to the Celtics two-point lead against two and a half to play in the third off the screen Johnson is back [Applause] [Music] against the Celtics tight the third Center doing this break kite on the boards look at him create some space for himself on the right ear picture and ain't good up fake lambier afraid to foul gives him the shot [Applause] Philadelphia 76ers Sunday on CBS sports [Music] speaking of Larry Bird with six triple doubles in his last ten games I was surprised yesterday when he told me that he has indeed been looking for some of these personal achievements halfway through season is his toughest time in this league and right now I got shoot for something and really I am going for the triple devil son because you know there's nothing else to do out there yeah we're winning and we're playing well so I believe that if I go out and try to get the assist opposed to going out trying to score 30 or 40 points it helps our team now how candid is that but look at Larry Bird doing some things you don't see anyone else do Friday night against the Clippers on his back finding Bill Walton for the basket he does that and now he finds himself in a tough battle with the Celtics leading by two and that's where he is on his way to perhaps another triple-double you know that past that he made to Walton on laying on his back the greatest part of that play was he kept his composure looked an impious the man in the lane off with the bass and allowed Walton the streak down a lane to give it to him he's such a candid guy Larry Bird a lot of guys would give you the stock answer no I don't care about the individual numbers but he admits that the team is playing well and you know he's told other people that he gets bored sometimes on the how it is with him that the game is that amazing form I think it gets great fun out of little things in the game right now doing it to a particular player that he doesn't like maybe or something like that Celtics maintain possession after kite misses the free throw to ten to go Memphis State at Louisville are tied at halftime we'll take another look at that stripped away in the horn and a kickball it'll be Detroit possession Memphis State in Louisville in the metro ride at 62 two minutes to go in the third period and right now we have a another fine ballgame we've had 12 ties 31 lead changes Celtics by 2 Dumars 10 on the shot clock Vinnie Johnson short to Cooper boxed out by Byrd see statement backcourt with Ainge Celtics Mahorn trying to muscle McHale bird gets it into Kevin McHale it'll call the foul on Mahorn and a two-shot situation [Music] Evan got hit in the face and he wants a time just so he can see here he comes and Mahorn when he fouls you he fouls you bill won't newest he's very little action in this game he played six minutes in the first half and the first time he'd seen break tight a favor here gets a hand like the chillest kid because he plays hard all the time but whoa why he's coming in second I have two points in five rebounds but that's one of them right now the unanswered question [Music] they chose by Mikael and it's 91-87 matches the Celtics biggest lead of the game 1:20 on the clock the horns anyone of those picks the time he's talking about Laimbeer hits Bill Laimbeer with 14 they pick you back to the middle like that so it's going to happen good on the weak side no question about that 21 points for Mikael each has 20 but bird leads with 24 I don't think they've given Dumas the green light to really penetrate pick and roll 9 on the clock make it a six-point lead the kale [Applause] 14 points this period for Kevin McHale and the biggest lead of the ball game for Boston took a long vacation when the team was out on the west coast black better right now if they want Laimbeer three-on-two Celtics Hey [Applause] the Pistons will take the last shot 18 the poor have the Celtics outscored the detroit crispy biggest lead for either team right now [Applause] we're gonna see why he's upset bird is trying to fight through the pick he composites Birds down there and he wanted a foul on bird [Applause] my man doesn't argue Laimbeer is still man you better cool off or he'll be gone he's got four personals also one second to go and that's the end of the third period with the score Boston 98 Detroit 89 we'll be back after this word from your local station the one period thanks to Tripp yuka and Thomas and they actually gained on the Celtics and led by three at the half but in the third period a 19-2 four run by the Celtics have given him a 98-89 lead after the third period [Applause] coaches love Rick Mahorn for stuff like this when he sets a pick you get jarred and good things I look at see sting trying to keep Mahone off the glass and just nonchalantly deposits easting on the seat of his pants start of the fourth period dick Stockton and Tom Heinsohn Mahorn goes to the bench just an average day for in the lon ken Benson is back in the air Laimbeer who is hit with the technical has four fouls looping into the concepts in another Bill Walton Walton is renowned here in Boston now for his passing ability beautiful Pistons had a five a lead of 85-79 with five minutes to go in the third period they've been outscored 21 to four since then won't they anticipated that pass Thomas regains it five on the shot clock intercepted by aim Celtics are on the roll aim see sting vets in the rebound 11-point lead for the Celtics and what was been an incredibly close affair for most of this game and Thomas driving in his foul watch this pass along to Mikael just lays it up soft enough and high enough for him to easily tip it in some guys compagnon pass off the glass soft that work Thomas with 21 points leading Detroit he has 12 assists hits the free throw bird with 24 Ames has 23 Mikael is the leading scorer for Boston with 25 and Harris who has not done all that much but has got to be well rested coming in in a hand for Kevin McHale what a game for him Parrish and Walton being in the game Riley Pat Riley calls this group on the court right now for the Celtics the bludging unit I mean it's bangin on the boys the kale goes out perfect tempting for Tim shooting nine-point lead for the Celtics and a turn try to get the ball into Paris Thomas and his foul Walton and his back turned and Thomas tried to sneak in somebody forgot to pick him up you know Bill Walton of course has always been a Celtic fan he has told people but he proved it a couple of years ago he went up to Red Auerbach in the office he said look and you can give me some Celtic souvenirs for my kids [Music] he gave my red gave him a t-shirt I guess and a couple of hats now Red's paying him now red straight would you felt if you were a clipper you know oh no the Clippers Oh check manager what he was doing that don't think they wanted to know that the Pistons down by 11 and scored four in a row here Celtics by seven Celtics are 23 and 1 at Boston Garden 25 and one counting two games in Hartford 6 on the 24-second clock system [Applause] great defense on that play by the Pistons but that super rebound by wolf just too much thomas / - thanks pistons we live and die by the outside shot they lived with it through most of this game but now they're under the gun trailing by nine and nearly two minutes gone by in the fourth period double on bird with Johnson and chef Luca and Detroit five [Applause] I'm going to Seewald with a real terrific rebound look at him get inside now he carves out some room again strip Yuka make sure he gets a hand on it and then up strong for the stuff and another piston foul don't have the strength inside if Detroit doesn't it can start to take its toll I did well particularly with this unit that if something should have on the corner they've got three players that they can use in the low post and all of them can score Mikhail's on the bank ames baseline thomas [Music] Celtics were there to slap it away they played him for the pass they faked at him and then got back and played him for the past nine point Boston lead about a minute a HAMP gone by of his final period that's the little guessing game that defenders play against penetrating Byrd doubled again open man see Steve Gaines quick pass the game 25 his junk shop is back which serves notice on the rest of the NBA that the best record in the league make it even better Betsy is missed two in a row now outlets to see sting Ange on the wings couldn't control and turns it over Denis Johnson back into the ball game for the Celtics Easton goes out see sting it's only score two points but he's been part of the Green Team bench effort for Boston giving that extra effort makes winner the all you can be sponsored by the US Army at just five seven Atlanta's spud Webb is at David among NBA Goliath spud compensates for his short stature with blazing speed enabling him to dart by taller opponents a 42-inch vertical leap elevates spud among the league's best showcase during his victory in the slam dunk championship he's an NBA stand out because spud Webb strives to be the best he can be Hey that was a great answer where'd you learn about you the Celtics have used three big people Bert Walton and Parrish and the Pistons are using trip yuca and lamb beer and Benson that's not their biggest front line pistons have not scored a basket the last four minutes of the game and you can see how their shooting has gone down from 70 to 40 percent under nine minutes to go plenty of time for Detroit if they can straighten things out this distant one ten in a row a club-record Milwaukee had ten straight before they lost to the bullets today Kelly took in the short and Walton not play bucks but now he has and he is dominating both wars why the Celtics just brought down the rhythm of that play by the Pistons they have turned up the defense an extra notch here in the latter stages of the third and into the fourth Benson the rebound of Thomas should have made that one Celtics have one two and three against the Pistons this year Laimbeer popping outside hits he's the reliable is it [Music] when he comes up on the fastbreak they're not reluctant at all to give him the shot from the outside nearly four minutes elapsed in this final period bird finds Dennis [Applause] if you double the weeks I'd better start rotating to that open man the cutter [Music] once again an 11-point lead off the screen is Vinnie Johnson and he hits Isaiah Thomas with 25 leads the piston that was the option play to hawk 3 that they usually use for tributon jessica bird walden is inside and bird just change direction fakes with the ball he could turn people around right now they're trading baskets that's not good for Detroit maybe Justin trading computer misses gets the ball back as Kelly Vinnie Johnson but now the Pistons are going to have to do the job defensively if they want to get back in this game Boston they'll take the fast break when it shows but they now have that those three low post players to go to McHale on the bench inside passed with anticipation by Dennis Johnson let's take a look at Larry Bird last time down to court the double develops run away from oh you got to be kidding me he's going to score 652 remaining timeout get in here because you'll have so much interest in each round I think even the first round of interest because you may see a team that has played well get knocked off and so many dark forest sweeper team is emerging so I think this is going to be an extra-special NCAA championship this year Larry Bird getting close to that triple-double which would make it 7 out of his last 11 games right now the Celtics lead 110 99 with a little more than halfway through this final period Vinnie Johnson normally hits again turning Vinny lose three in a row for Vinny 11 in the game for Johnson turned into a half-court game Celtics taking their time trying to set up good play percentage shot bird inside Paris they're gonna call a foul on Isaiah Thomas they've tried several different ways the Celtics to get that ball inside next foul on Pistons will be their fifth in the vault and Laimbeer they look for wall they're denying the pooka run through a screen leaving Walton inside will go to the line well executed to play by two big times it was a great fake the bird the entire piste easy threads gotten into guys watch this fake by Walt the past they known that long monks the past he sleeps in there that's what keep passing and baking a fez you can do distance in the penalty in Bill Laimbeer has five personal fouls one more and he's out of there the kale 25 points Ainge 25 bird 28 is the game's high score last timeout they took the ball out of the hands of Isiah Thomas and led Vinnie Johnson go one-on-one I say or is usually the guy that would want to penetrate at this stage of the ballgame to try and create some openings for the big guy state 11 points basically Celtics lead throughout this period Thomas mrs. Berg gets another rebound that's his ninth rebound excellent defense by Danny Ainge that time to contain Isaiah's penetration ages career high as 2060s one away from that bird and koneko elbow to each other and they'll call the foul on Kelly Chuck Daly jumped me before the ballgame you know then that fast breaking up an awful lot the Celtics but they don't love fast break when it's there and that's how they broke this game open a little pistons with a 10 game winning streak most of those wins have been teams with under 500 logs on the season Celtics have the longest winning streak of the season 13 broken at Sacramento market of Danny Ainge on a free throw line that time say now listen out keep Isaiah under control now will ya lead to the ballgame they've just taken the game away with a 19 to four run in the last five minutes of the third period and then just keeping the Pistons out of it here and bird goes in the basket now the Celtics never seem to be overly concerned about Detroit because of the fact they know they can work inside both ways well they know that Tripp yuka got caught behind a picked that time and allowed bird to come off get the easy pass and come down Lane an awful lot of places to go against this Pistons big man defense bird is 11 for 11 that's the free throw line today the Pistons you know unravel here they played impressive ball for a half and then three seven minutes of the third carryin and the roof caved in then you see who the Pistons have to go to the counter the big men play the Celtics they go to deck guards for jumping feet technical foul [Music] to technicals of an issue here Isaiah Thomas and Laimbeer both joying and Darell Garretson here's Chuck Daly's reaction go ahead call that he knew he's going to call it that's the usual coach's expression I know you're going to call it call daily and Thomas hit with Danny age they'll shoot him mine too at the conclusion of the game Tom and I will select the Miller Lite most valuable player of the game and in conjunction with the award Miller Lite will present a check for $1,000 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation in that players name Celtics have it leading now by 18 points Danny Ainge is a career-high of 27 as a result of the free throws [Applause] talked about players in the game and here's why electrifying animated where's his emotion on a sleeve Charles Barkley the sensational second year forward for the Philadelphia 76ers and you can see him next Sunday on CBS as his Sixers go against the Indiana Pacers in 1 o'clock Eastern Time a lot of people would say I'd love to see Barkley all the time you'll see him next week 1 o'clock on CBS Tommy at one point the Pistons led 83 to 77 personally midway through the third period and the Celtics have outscored Detroit 44 to 18 to break open this game with 444 to go you know dick sometimes they think the Celtics lull you into a false sense of security and then pounce on you with real good defense at the right time they'll let you feel that you got certain things going against their defense and then they take it away at the the most opportune time as we told you a career-high for Danny Ainge of 27 points wolf Thomas frustrated at this point he can do only so much and it's interesting how parish hadn't done much at halftime and wolf was on the bench and they come at you in waves that's the way the Pistons must think of themselves today the bludgeon unit rebounding and good power tall defense missing Thomas back Vinnie Johnson who turns it over the Detroit Pistons not gain any ground on the Milwaukee Bucks who lost to the bullets today bullets had their 10-year the Bucks had their 10 game winning streak snapped and sold the pistol whoa [Applause] no yesterday the Celtics tried a lot of those shots and before the end of practice what the Celtics do is that they try half-court shots and the guy that scored from half-court that Man Ray melchiorri the Train man the only man to make the shot from half-court with rain hand for the green team for the Celtics Walton and a blown out the piston for the Celtics Walton a name blown out the piston [Applause] standing ovation for the Celtic menace and Larry Bird is out of the ballgame with 35 points nine rebounds and seven assists no triple-double today for Lehren stuck on 101 for quite a while now with 320 remaining in the game Denis Johnson they've got cured in there right now for the Pistons and he's got a height advantage over David third kilt maybe they'll try to piston to develop an inside game with journalists Thomas Dennis Johnson Sam Vincent is in the game the rookie from Michigan State who hasn't played much lately search kill the former piston and it still Celtics ball and into the game Rick Carlisle for the Celtics Tony Campbell for the Pistons Greg kite also in for the selfie Waltons got someone over his shoulder what an enjoyable time it's been for the redhead from California he's going to practice tomorrow and keep working on that outside shot two in a row that for me Shelton bench with that kind of a scoring edge Earl Cureton our check check that John long who was the forgotten man we talked about replacing Isiah Thomas long was five for five by the way in Friday's game but really hasn't played much Oh Eve Oh beats Memphis State 72-69 a lot of people think Louisville could be one of those teams that will turn it on in the NCAA championship you know dick one of the reasons why Pistons came up with that three guard location John Wong missed four practices by four legitimate reasons and all of a sudden they found that many Johnson started to play better and do Martin and Isaiah's like Lou Gehrig losing it you know taking over never got his job back Isiah Thomas on the bench he will get his job back 25 points left on the system six rebounds for the wizard of the Pistons - 35 remaining 123 - 101 Tony canvas third kills battling his former teammate Laimbeer and a loose ball foul against third kill the Celtics only loss at Boston Garden this year was to the Portland Trail Blazer out in that one with a lot of great fast-break basketball by the trail places as much as they have in previous games one of the things they didn't do much anymore more control Vince's all the way in a foul a glimpse of the future for the Boston Celtics Sam Vincent here's a kid that hasn't played an awful lot he injured his ankle was playing a little bit quiet and an injury but they have high hopes for him in the future one of the problems they can playing him with c-string is that they are very small at the guard position here's Devon 7 feet 5 inches tall former Laker daily calls a Chuck never an intriguing player the French lady needs is not ready yet twenty five point lead for the Celtics and if you had tuned in through most of the third period you wouldn't believe this score right now Celtics have just run away Japanese the board than everything else Joe Dumars hit the shot we're getting to the time of the year Tommy that people are going to look at the record and a lot of coaches jobs jeopardy ultimately that happens every year and tambul ahead of the field of the basket now the game opens up with 145 to go 126 105 Boston hight Celtics will win five in a row and make him 26 out of 29 one of those people who a lot of people think could be in jeopardy is he be Brown the coach of the New York Knicks who have had a nightmarish year with injuries to Bernard King and Cartwright and even doing out for a while but I have a feeling that you'll be Brown will be back as coach of the New York Knicks see what he can do with a healthier team I say new he will be back with the New York Knicks and a lot of people say that he's one of the best bench coaches you'll find he gets his team's playing hard he hasn't had a wealth of talent for a complete season the last two years so I don't know why they should be faulting him I want to see what he does with a healthy team before I fire well you saw you saw him take the mix to seven games against the Celtics a couple of years ago this is the jumper third kill the rebound one under a minute to go next Sunday the Indiana Pacers the Philadelphia Carlile and pike team up there what does it mean for a guy like Titan practice he really tests those other centers doesn't he I mean he plays hard the whole time he's got the perfect temperament to be a 10th or 11th guy on the bench Nevitt working against height airball mcurtin is there 128 to 107 pistons club record 10 game winning streak down the drain to this her kill goes in and his foul that's why he is an intriguing player Chuck never at his size might be up a new ball type of player defensively or he's a lot better offensively than in fall David third kill to shine this is his first shot you saw a shot of the Celtic bench with a lot of the heavy contributors for them today Larry Bird with 35 Kevin McHale with 25 an incredible shooting Danny Ainge though very important game for him because he had been mired in a slump but 27 points a career high for age today I'll tell you one thing I think the Pistons are going to do very well lay off it ought to be both the lock horns with the Atlanta Hawks which want to be an interesting seer well the Hawks have the the strength on the boards but the Pistons have the experience in the playoffs that'll count those two seconds to go visit [Applause] at home [Applause] the Boston Celtics have defeated the Detroit Pistons ending their 10 game winning streak 129 to 109 a clean and solid 20-point victory and we'll be back at Boston Garden right now let's send you to Fairfax Virginia the American come to mastics and for an update let's go to John Tesh John led 65 ethics outscored the piston 67 to 44 in the second half to win going away in our Miller Lite most valuable player the game is Larry Bird and 11 fourth period points and that's when the Celtics and Bird started to go cooking and there he is the give and go to Dennis Johnson the ability to do it all including find Dennis Johnson no help from the weak side just some of the things Larry Bird did he had his outside shooting eye going as well driving in looking for the fouls perfect from the free throw line for Larry Bird another big game today was Kevin McHale who was perfect 10 for 10 from the field for Kevin McHale who scored 25 points and right now he's with Pat O'Brien and Kevin was smiling watching Larry play first of all you look good how do you feel today felt pretty good I'm getting my timing back starting to get little bit of wind back you get real tired also when they start running but I was basically off you know a month so it feels pretty good to get back playing you live and die by the outside shot as Detroit does you guys shut them down was that the key to the game yeah I was in there an outside in game weren't inside out game we kick it inside first then we go outside that doesn't work they want to get it outside shot going and if that doesn't work they try to get it inside so we started coming around on the picks putting a lot of pressure on him and we took it outside game away you talk about Larry Bird we're watching Larry Bird play a while ago to show a shot of you here going coast-to-coast here talk to me about her hey I was my first deal of the year Larry Larry made a great play here I think yeah and I came in here and I held her because I started running like a baby deer on ice and then I laid it in it wasn't very pretty that's for sure how about the inside game today Kevin we played well you know like the right here DJ makes a great feed right here and when you start getting the ball down that low it's really tough for them to defend you because you can go into them and do a lot of things on offense and yeah what makes our inside game so good is our passing from the outside inside it's just great welcome back to the game Kevin McHale let's go back to dick Stockton's thank you very much Pat and so the piston shot 70% in the first only 41% in the second half and that huge front line by the Celtics paid off in a 20-point victory and we'll be back to Boston Garden for more in just a moment

Channel: 1980s Sports Home

Views: 63,808

Rating: 4.8333335 out of 5

Keywords: Larry Bird, Bill Walton, Kevin McHale, Joe Dumars Rookie, Isiah Thomas

Id: eFPG5351E-A

Length: 92min 10sec (5530 seconds)

Published: Wed Sep 18 2019