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While the Celtics and Pistons mucked it up for 3 quarters, I fought hard to stay awake (Yes...I am that lame on a Friday night). Then it happened. Perk body slammed Jason Maxiell midway through the 4th. I awoke and so did the crowd at the Palace.
Perk was ejected for the flagrant 2. Once Maxiell got up off the floor, he started pushing everyone in a green jersey. But after Maxiell butchered the free throws, the Celtics seized the momentum and went on an 8-2 run (thanks to a couple of Big Baby hustle plays) to extend their lead to 11. Detroit clawed back, but the Celtics were the ones to make the key plays down the stretch:
Rondo fantastic lob to KG (22 pts, 8 reb, 2 blks) for a dunk with 2:20 left.
KG strips Rip Hamilton with 1:01 left and the Celtics up 5.
Paul Pierce (20 pts, 5 reb, 5 assists) drives and dishes to KG for a layup with :36 left...Celtics up 7.
Celtics 86 Detroit 78| Box Score | Recap
"That kinda sparked us, the guys rallied around Perk." - Paul Pierce after the flagrant foul