The role of spoiler is something the Truth and his Celtics teammates have not played in quite some time. But with Allen Iverson’s first home game as a Piston falling on the date No. 34 and his boys came to town, it was one they were happy to take on just for a Sunday afternoon.

Pierce and the rest of the Celtics sent a message to the team they had knocked out of the Eastern Conference Finals in six games a year ago, with suffocating defense from the opening whistle as they defeated the Pistons 88-76.

The Truth’s impact was felt the most on the defensive end of the floor as he helped hold the Pistons to just 44 percent shooting. His seven points and two rebounds didn’t light up the box score, but the defense and leadership he provided allowed the Celtics to neutralize one of their major rivals in the Eastern Conference.

Head coach Doc Rivers commented on Pierce and his teammates’ defensive showcase:

"The best defense of the year, by far, all game, until the fourth quarter when we turned it down a little bit," Rivers told the Boston Globe. "Active hands. Physical. Got up in [their] bodies. It was really neat to see. It was nice. We've been good defensively all year. But tonight was our best.”

NEXT UP
The Truth and the rest of the Celtics head home to face the Toronto Raptors Monday night, November 10.

RELATED STORIES
Celtics dominate Pistons in Iverson’s home debut (AP, Nov. 9, 2008)
http://www.nba.com/games/20081109/BOSDET/recap.html
Iverson Pumps No Life Into Pistons (The Boston Globe, Nov. 10, 2008)
http://www.nba.com/games/20081109/BOSDET/recap.html
 

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