Detroit entered Saturday night’s contest vs. the Boston Celtics as one of the NBA’s last three unbeaten clubs, but their unblemished record wouldn’t last long. The Celtics came to Detroit, coming off a less-than-impressive start to their year, and quickly found their mojo. Once the final horn sounded, and Boston finished thrashing Detroit 109-89, you were left with the sense that the Eastern Conference hierarchy was in it’s rightful order. Celtics and Raptors (and Bucks?) at the top, and everyone else at least two or three steps behind.
Detroit may not be able to disrupt that narrative, no matter the result of Tuesday night’s game in Boston, but they can validate their successful start with a solid showing against a Celtics team who many believe will be representing the Eastern Conference in the 2019 NBA Finals.