Robinson fuels 23-0 surge as Pistons rally to beat Celtics 121-113 in season opener

Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as the visiting Detroit Pistons erased a 22-point deficit and defeated the Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA regular-season opener on Tuesday afternoon. Detroit’s comeback featured a 23-0 run that turned a double-digit Boston lead into a game-sealing advantage.

The Pistons received 22 points each from Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham and were boosted by Javonte Green’s 19 points in 18 minutes and Ausar Thompson’s 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Paul George led all scorers with 38 points in his Celtics debut, while Payton Pritchard and Derrick White added 17 apiece. Jayson Tatum was held to 13 points on six-for-23 shooting but finished with 11 assists. The Pistons were identified in the report as the team that led the Eastern Conference with 60 wins last season.

Boston built a 13-point halftime cushion after a second-quarter surge, taking a 58-45 lead into the break. Detroit had led 39-35 early in the second before Boston closed the quarter on a 15-0 run. George scored the Celtics’ final eight points of the half to establish that margin.

George extended Boston’s advantage in the third, hitting three three-pointers in a 52-second span to push the lead to 72-50, the game’s largest. Green entered the game shortly afterward to slow George down and supplied an offensive jolt for Detroit, scoring 11 points in the period, including three three-pointers. The Pistons closed the quarter to within three in the closing seconds.

The fourth quarter began with George converting a layup to make it 90-82 and Boston briefly stretching the margin to 12. Detroit’s response was ignited by a three-point play from Thompson that sparked the rally. Robinson then scored 11 consecutive points to pull the Pistons within 99-98.

Robinson followed by setting up Green for a three, and Duren converted a three-point play as Detroit continued its charge. Robinson hit a three-pointer with 5 minutes 13 seconds remaining to put the Pistons ahead 107-99. Green’s subsequent three extended the run to 23 unanswered and gave Detroit a 112-99 lead with 3 minutes 33 seconds left.

Boston cut the deficit to four late, but Green made two free throws with 6.7 seconds remaining to secure Detroit’s opening-day victory.