The only problem with his performance is he went 7-14 from the free throw line, which loomed large in a game the Celtics lost by 7 points. Brown took accountability for the loss after the game, saying: “We’ve got to be better.

“They’re a championship team; they’ve got a championship identity,” Cunningham said. “Play a great brand of basketball, so it’s always a test for us coming in. It’s a game we love coming in for because we know that they’re going to test us and play good basketball.”

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and added 10 assists in a 112-105 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday, Dec. 15.

Ausar Thompson, 22, is arguably the best point-of-attack defender in the NBA and has developed a consistent midrange jumper, and his paint touches have become invaluable. Duncan Robinson is the ultimate floor spacer, is adept at shooting on the move from behind the arc and often uses his gravity to manipulate defenses.

The Boston Celtics suffered a tough 112-105 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. With Jaylen Brown shouldering the burden of the loss, Derrick White stepped in to defend his teammate following an impressive individual performance.

There's very little to be concerned about in Detroit right now. The Pistons are the best team in the Eastern conference with 19 wins and the New York Knicks ar

It has been two decades since we last saw a Detroit Pistons team this good, thanks to their work in transition and around the rim.

However, the matchup was a reminder of the best the Eastern Conference has to offer Boston right now as trade season begins. Boston fell to 1-2 on the season against the Pistons with the 112-105 defeat but there was a consensus that this game resembled a playoff contest.