Pistons 105, Celtics 97 (OT)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 27 points, including seven in overtime, as visiting Detroit rallied to provide Boston a crippling loss.
Reggie Jackson had 17 points and 11 assists and Andre Drummond chipped in 18 points, 22 rebounds and four blocks for the Pistons, who scored the first seven points of overtime to secure their second straight win after losing 11 of 12. Jodie Meeks scored 14 points off the bench and Tayshaun Prince and Caron Butler combined for 21 points and five 3-pointers for Detroit, which held Boston to 36.2-percent shooting.
Evan Turner had 23 points and eight assists for the Celtics, who have lost three straight and fell behind the Charlotte Hornets for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East with 13 games left. Jae Crowder added 19 points and Brandon Bass finished with 13 points and nine rebounds for Boston, which couldn't hold a 10-point, third-quarter deficit after Detroit played Saturday against the Chicago Bulls while the Celtics were off and resting.
Pope helped keep Detroit in the game in the second half and opened the extra session with a left-handed drive. Meeks drained a 3-pointer and Drummond added a tip-in before Turner converted a drive to get Boston within five before Caldwell-Pope provided a 3-point dagger from the right wing with 2:04 remaining.
Boston led 47-41 at the half and Turner scored 10 in the third as Boston took a six-point edge into the fourth, but Caldwell-Pope scored five points early in the fourth and Joel Anthony's dunk with 5:49 left gave Detroit a 79-78 edge. Crowder converted a three-point play on a drive down the right side of the lane to give Boston an 88-86 edge with 1:11 left in regulation before Jackson countered with a drive to the hoop before Turner lost the ball as he went up for the potential game-winner from the right corner at the end of regulation.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Celtics G Marcus Smart did not play after being suspended one game for punching Matt Bonner of the San Antonio Spurs in a loss Friday. … In a closely-contested first half, Crowder scored 12 points in the second quarter and Boston held Detroit to 6-of-21 shooting to turn a three-point deficit entering the period into a 47-41 halftime edge. … Drummond missed his first seven free throws and was 2-of-11 for the game.