Game 40 Preview: Celtics at Pistons

Paul Pierce will try to get the Celtics back on track in the Motor City.

After losing two straight to close out their homestand, the Celtics (20-19) will look to get back to their winning ways as they hit the road for their second visit of the season to The Palace of Auburn Hills. 

The Celtics will take on a Pistons (14-25) team that has lost three of it's last four games. Detroit last played on Thursday against the New York Knicks, a game that was played at the O2 Arena in London. The Pistons fell to New York, 102-87. 

Boston is coming off an emotional loss to the Bulls on Friday night. However, that is all in the past, and the Celtics will have to lick their wounds and move on.

They may have to do so without Avery Bradley. Bradley's rib injury is still affecting him, but he did make the trip with the team. He is questionable for tonight's game and will be a game-time decision.

With or without Bradley, the Celtics still need to bring their A-game against Detroit, who man-handled the Celtics the last time these two squared off.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Celtics:

Rajon Rondo

Leandro Barbosa*

Paul Pierce

Brandon Bass

Kevin Garnett

Pistons:

Brandon Knight

Kyle Singler

Tayshaun Prince

Jason Maxiell

Greg Monroe

* Subject to change

Keys to the game:

1. An answer for Monroe: In their last meeting, Detroit center Greg Monroe dominated the Celtics. He had 20 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. Furthermore, Monroe led the charge in the paint for Detroit as they went on to outscore Boston in paint 44-30. Over his last 6 games, Monroe is averaging 17.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Needless to say, Boston's interior defense needs to be sharp. It starts with Jared Sullinger and Kevin Garnett. Sullinger needs to do all he can to stay on the floor, and Garnett needs to return to form after showing his age over the past two games. 

2. Sharing is caring: Also in their last meeting, the Celtics had a season-low 12 assists on 32 field goals, and Rajon Rondo had 10 of them. The ball movement was horrendous, and Rajon Rondo needs to do what he can to get his teammates involved.

3. Intensity: Detroit looked like they wanted to be there, and Boston did not. It was as simple as that. The Celtics had no energy, and it was clearly evident in their play. A Sunday night game in Detroit in the middle of the season is not a game anyone is going to get excited about -- also throw in the fact that they will tip-off roughly around the start of the second quarter of today's AFC Championship -- but a win is a win and a loss is a loss. They're all the same.