DETROIT, MI – This wasn’t just another Detroit Pistons game. From hours before the tip to the finals seconds, Little Caesars Arena could’ve been mistaken for the Palace of Auburn Hills during the Going to Work era.

”We came to play,” Pistons head coach JB Bickerstaff said. “We knew this was going to be a tough challenge, but we’re focused on the process of it all.”

“The only thing we’re focused on is being the best versions of ourselves. And tonight we were really close.”

With playoffs on the mind for the surprising Pistons, the atmosphere definitely lived up to the hype.

From start to finish the Pistons had this game in control, lead by the veterans and star Cade Cunningham. And despite Celtics shooting an insane 54% on 23 three-point attempts in the first half, the Pistons still managed to hold them under 100 points.

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Boston Celtics 117-97 behind a stingy defense that looked hungry for more on every possession.

This is Detroit Basketball. This is what fans have waited to see for over two decades. Despite a couple playoff appearances within the last 10 seasons, this has far more promise beyond just this season.

Do You Believe in the Pistons?

But the team has believed in their potential all year which is helping them stay composed despite the magnitude of current success. The veterans have assisted the young players understand moments that they’ve never been in. Big time game versus a top team, with playoffs just 23 more games away, but you wouldn’t know it by the composure displayed.

Malik Beasley responded with a simple “No” when asked if the they approached this game any differently.

“It’s another game for me,” Beasley exclaimed. “At this point in our journey we’re about ourselves right now.

Even though fans and local media believe there Pistons are deserving of more attention, it’s not what they’re playing for. Veterans like Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway, Jr, and Malik Beasley, are proving the Pistons had one of the most underrated off seasons. They’ve contributed to this young team owning the moment, and they want more.

“Obviously they’re a great team, but we owed them one. We’re the Pistons and need to get our respect by continuing to show the world we’re not done.”

Ausar Thompson is INSANE!

The Pistons have been the best defensive team in the NBA over their 8 game winning streak. They’ve achieved great success as a team defensively, but Ausar Thompson has lead the charge.

He was a +15 while finishing with 5 steals as the primary defender on Celtics star Jayson Tatum. And his teammates were ready to talk about the budding defensive star.

“What he does to our team is insane,” Beasley said. “He’s just getting started.”

On the night Thompson finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds, but seemed to be everywhere on defense.

“He has the ability to do amazing things.” Bickerstaff stated. “There were possessions he was guarding Tatum, then someone else, back to Tatum and then he gets the steal.”

But this team isn’t a one trick pony when it comes to stopping whoever is on the other side. And their effort versus the Celtics impressed JB Bickerstaff who’s not easy to please. He was even annoyed in the post game press conference for the last game they won versus the Charlotte Hornets.

But on this night there was no hiding how proud he was of his growing Pistons team.

”This is the thing about this group that I love so much,” Bickerstaff began. “Everybody has the ability to be a star in their role.”

“To set the tone the way we did to start the game meant we came out with a point to prove,” Bickerstaff said. “Everyone gave effort and did a great job of finishing possessions.”

Pistons fans already on their feet with energy, cheered even louder in approval as the game came to a close. A great moment for a team that’s experienced some tough moments the last few years.

”I think we were outstanding.”