AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The Boston Celtics insisted they weren’t worried about winning a road game, knowing their time would come in the playoffs.
Perfect timing.
Kevin Garnett scored 22 points to lead Boston to a 94-80 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night and a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
“I think our guys just assumed we would eventually win on the road,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.
The NBA’s top-seeded team had lost its first six road games — tying a league record — and was 9-0 at home until losing to Detroit in the previous game.
“I think the loss rejuvenated us,” Celtics captain Paul Pierce said. “We really wanted to come out and get this one.”
“They got home court back,” Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. “Monday is a crucial game for us — the biggest of the year.”
Rasheed Wallace of the Pistons disagreed.
“I don’t see it as a big thing,” he said. “It’s all about whoever gets to four.”
Boston’s Big Three scored as much as its supporting cast.
“We were very balanced,” Garnett said. “We have to somehow duplicate that.”
Garnett, Ray Allen (14) and Pierce (11) combined for 47 points to match the rest of the team. Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo and James Posey each scored 12 points for the Celtics.
“Their role players really hurt us,” Saunders said.
Detroit’s Richard Hamilton scored 26 points, rookie Rodney Stuckey added 17 and Wallace added 12.
Two of the Pistons’ starters had awful games.
Tayshaun Prince scored four points and Chauncey Billups had six, combining to shoot 3-for-17. Billups appeared to be slowed after aggravating a hamstring injury in Game 2.
“I don’t think anybody is 100 percent at this point,” Garnett said.
Boston scored the first 11 points as six players scored.
The Celtics led 50-32 at halftime after holding Detroit to a playoff-low in the first half and getting at least two points from each of the nine Celtics who played.
