DETROIT (AP) — Tobias Harris scored 25 points and Jaylen Brown missed a shot just before the buzzer, allowing the Detroit Pistons to hold on for a 104-103 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night in a matchup of teams with the best records in the Eastern Conference.
Jalen Duren scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, Cade Cunningham had 16 points and 14 assists and Duncan Robinson added 15 points for the Central Division-leading Pistons (31-10).
Brown had 32 on 11-of-28 shooting for the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics (26-16).
Cunningham and Brown were named All-Star starters for the first time earlier Monday. Cunningham placed first in player votes, and Brown had the most media votes.
Detroit began the fourth quarter ahead 84-82 after 11 ties and five lead changes and the final 12 minutes were also closely contested.
Robinson’s fifth 3-pointer gave the Pistons a five-point lead midway through the quarter.
Brown made a shot that put his team ahead with 3:20 left and Harris responded with a 3-pointer to put the Pistons ahead 99-97.
Brown missed two free throws with 1:58 left, trailing by two points, and hit a running shot with 45 seconds left to pull within one.
Cunningham missed a shot with five seconds left and Boston had the ball with 4.4 seconds left with a chance to at least extend the game, but Brown couldn’t capitalize on a shot from the right wing.
Boston’s Payton Pritchard scored 17, Sam Hauser had 16 points and Luka Garza overcame being penalized for four fouls in three minutes to add ten points.
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