Irving scores 31 in Celtics win
After averaging 14 points through the first six games, Kyrie Irving knew he was due to start hitting some shots.
Irving broke through Tuesday night with a season-high 31 points and led a third-quarter surge that put Boston in command of a 108-105 win over Detroit, handing the Pistons back-to-back losses after a 4-0 start.
“I was taking shots that they were giving me,” said Irving, who made 10 of 16 shots from the floor and added five assists and five rebounds. “Me taking some of those shots made the defence come out a little higher, then created some other opportunities for my teammates, which felt good.”
Irving’s effect on the game showed in the box score as well, with four of his teammates also scoring in double figures as the Celtics won their third straight.
Jayson Tatum scored 16, Jaylen Brown had 14 points and Al Horford scored 11 for Boston. Marcus Morris had 15 points and nine rebounds.
Irving’s previous high this season was 22 last Monday against Orlando. He scored just three Saturday when the Celtics beat the Pistons 10989.
“Law of averages,” Boston coach Brad Stevens said. “He’s way too good of a scorer for the ball not to go in very long, and all that stuff evens out over time.”
Blake Griffin had 24 points and 15 rebounds for Detroit, which couldn’t recover after scoring just 13 points in the third quarter.