Pistons at Celtics
THE STORY: As Boston approaches the halfway point of the condensed season, veteran forward Kevin Garnett is the only Celtics player to appear in every game so far. That streak is in jeopardy on Wednesday as Boston entertains the Detroit Pistons for the second time this season. Garnett is considered questionable for the tilt with a hip flexor suffered in Sunday's pivotal victory over the Chicago Bulls. Detroit has just two wins in 14 road games and is coming off back-to-back home losses to the Washington Wizards and San Antonio Spurs.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Detroit, Comcast SportsNet New England
ABOUT THE PISTONS (8-22): Detroit began its three-game homestand on a positive note, routing the New Jersey Nets on Friday night. Things went sour from there, with the Pistons dropping a lopsided decision to Washington before coming up just short against red-hot San Antonio on Tuesday. Center Greg Monroe, who leads the club in scoring at 16.4 points per game, had just four on 2-for-11 shooting against the Spurs.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (15-12): Boston's battered and aging lineup still had enough pluck to handle the Bulls, but the absence of Garnett for any length of time could prove difficult to overcome. The Celtics are already without big men Brandon Bass (knee) and Jermaine O'Neal (knee), leaving them woefully thin up front. Garnett's numbers - 14 points and 7.7 rebounds - are down from a season ago, but he's still one of the most versatile forwards in the East.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Celtics have won the last three meetings, all in Boston.
2. Boston PG Rajon Rondo averages 10.3 points and 7.8 assists in 18 career games against the Pistons.
3. Monroe averaged better than 21 points on 60.5 percent shooting in February prior to Tuesday's meltdown against San Antonio.