Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas: Posts 22 points, 10 assists Wednesday

Home letdowns: Boston is 10-6 on the road, 9-10 at home.

Baynes finished with six points, six rebounds, and four assists in the win. The Celtics led by 13 in the third quarter before collapsing down the stretch, getting outscored 33-19 in the fourth.

Andre Drummond has had at least one block and one steal in 26 games this season, five more games than the next closest player (Paul Millsap, 21). It was his eighth career double-double off the bench, and the first since March 30, 2014. The Celtics have a “Vote Isaiah” push going for G Isaiah Thomas…. With Thomas missing one of his free throws on the previous possession, the Celtics had the ball down two possessions with a minute left.

The 6-foot-3 point guard, who shined for three seasons at Boston College before turning pro in 2011, scored nine of his 24 points in the final period and Detroit rallied for a 99-94 win over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Now the Pistons have another risky guard to throw into the equation.

But then he came alive again in the fourth, hitting three key buckets including a turnaround bank shot that tied the game, 81-81.

This contest features two of the leaders in drives per game, with Jackson averaging an NBA-best 12.0 and Thomas fourth at 11.3.

But when it came to limiting Drummond on the glass, the C’s did better than any opposing team has done this season.

The C’s reserves, led by Jared Sullinger’s eight points, only scored 13 points on 5-for-23 shooting, and were a non-factor once the Pistons started to come back.

BOSTON – The Celtics and Pistons lived and died at the free throw line Wednesday night.

The Pistons were lifeless until Caldwell-Pope went on a shooting tear. By halftime, four Boston starters had reached double figures, and that didn’t even include Thomas, who was drawing defenders and creating high-percentage opportunities for everyone else.

During a chain of recent text messages in their team-wide group, the Boston Celtics stressed the need to take care of business before the All-Star break.

Johnson wondered what’s going wrong at home, where the Celtics dropped to 9-10 for the season. The other issue is that Jennings is back and rounding into form. Turner scored 29 in Boston’s last trip to the United Center, a 109-104 overtime defeat January 3, 2015. R-Jax also dished out six assists with two rebounds, one 3-pointer and only one turnover.

“It was a tough, hard-fought win”, Jackson said. “He really was a floor general out there”.

“I know you guys get your comments from the fans, but we knew when we signed him that he was a very good player”, Van Gundy said. Detroit did an excellent job collapsing on Thomas all night until Thomas’ big scoring outburst – 13 points in the final 3:49.

Veteran forward David Lee said he has not considered asking the Boston Celtics for a trade following his relegation from the bench.

Dec 16, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) looks to drive the ball to the basket as Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) defends at The Palace of Auburn Hills.