Pumped Pistons power back to sink Celtics in NBA opener

Javonte Green scored 19 points after not playing in the first half and Cade Cunningham finished with 22 points and eight assists, helping the Detroit Pistons fight back and beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 to open the new NBA season.

The NBA picked the "matinee match-up" in Detroit on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) to tip off the season, and the game delivered plenty of entertainment.

Paul George scored 38 points, the most by a Celtic in his debut. The nine-time All-Star, in his 17th season, showed he's still got it in his first game with the Celtics since they acquired him from Philadelphia in exchange for 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.

Jayson Tatum, though, was off his game for the visitors. He missed 17 of 23 shots, and finished the game with 13 points and 11 assists.

Tatum's lack of hustle on defence allowed Green to take his time for a fifth three-pointer that gave the Pistons a 13-point lead with 3:33 left.

Tatum, a six-time All-Star, is set to play his first full season since tearing his Achilles tendon in May 2025.

Boston took their biggest lead early in the third quarter at 72-50 after George made three three-pointers in less than a minute.

Detroit cut the deficit to six points after three quarters and surged ahead in the fourth.

Green made a go-ahead three, Jalen Duren added a three-point play and Duncan Robinson connected on a trey to put the Pistons ahead 107-99 with 5:10 to go.

Duren had 22 points and nine rebounds, Robinson scored 21 points - making five of nine three-pointers - and Ausar Thompson added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Pistons.

The Celtics next host the New York Knicks, and the Pistons travel to Miami to take on the Heat, with both matches on Friday (local time).