Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter on Tuesday afternoon to lead the Detroit Pistons to a 121-113 victory over the visiting Boston Celtics in the NBA regular-season opener.
Detroit erased a 22-point deficit. Robinson sparked a decisive 23-0 run during the final period that stunned the Celtics.
Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham each contributed 22 points for the Pistons. Detroit finished with the top record in the Eastern Conference last season after recording 60 wins.
Javonte Green provided an important spark off the bench. He scored 19 points in 18 minutes of action.
Ausar Thompson also delivered a strong performance for the hosts. He finished the contest with 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
Boston established control during the second quarter. The visitors put together a 15-unanswered-point run after trailing 39-35 early in the period.
Paul George scored the final eight points of the first half for Boston. The Celtics carried a 58-45 advantage into the intermission on the back of his strong play.
George maintained his momentum in the third quarter. He converted three three-pointers in a span of 52 seconds to extend the Boston lead to 72-50, which marked the largest margin of the game.
Green entered the match to defend against George and successfully slowed the opposing star. Green simultaneously ignited the Detroit offence by scoring 11 points in the third quarter, including three shots from beyond the arc, which reduced the deficit to three points by the end of the period.
George opened the fourth quarter with a layup to make it 90-82. Boston pushed the lead back out to 12 points before the Pistons mounted their final surge, beginning with a three-point play from Thompson.
Robinson hit 11 consecutive points to pull Detroit within one at 99-98. He then assisted on a three-pointer by Green before Duren completed a three-point play.
Robinson drained another three-pointer with five minutes and 13 seconds remaining to put the Pistons ahead 107-99. Green finished off the 23-0 run with another three-pointer that stretched the margin to 112-99 with three minutes and 33 seconds left on the clock.
Boston managed to narrow the gap to four points in the closing moments. Green secured the opening-day win by sinking two free throws with 6.7 seconds remaining.
