Celtics: Joe Mazzulla Says Fix Offense After Pistons Collapse

The Boston Celtics lost their 2026-27 season opener 121-113 to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, October 20 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit after leading by 22 points, and head coach Joe Mazzulla said Boston's empty offensive possessions fueled Detroit's comeback. Paul George scored 38 points in his Celtics debut, but Detroit outscored Boston 76-55 in the second half to complete the rally.





Joe Mazzulla says the Celtics have to fix their offense to fix their defense


Joe Mazzulla told reporters after the game that Boston's offense created Detroit's transition chances. Per NESN, Mazzulla said some of the Celtics' empty offensive possessions led to transition points for the Pistons, including and-ones and transition three-pointers by Javonte Green and Duncan Robinson.


Mazzulla said the problem was poor rim reads and missed reads when the Celtics came up empty. When Boston did not score, Detroit ran against a scrambling defense instead of facing the Celtics set five-on-five in the half court.





Detroit's 23-0 run turned a 22-point Boston lead into a Celtics loss


The Detroit Pistons trailed 72-50 with about 20 minutes left before a 23-0 scoring run changed the game at Little Caesars Arena. Javonte Green, who did not play in the first half, scored 19 points and hit the three-pointer that gave Detroit a 101-99 lead with 6:41 left, its first lead since the second quarter.


Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren scored 22 points apiece for Detroit, and Duncan Robinson added 21 points. Detroit scored 39 points in the fourth quarter and made seven of 11 shots in one decisive stretch to close out the 121-113 win.


MORE: How to Watch Celtics vs Knicks in Boston Home Opener





Paul George's record debut was not enough to save the Celtics


Paul George scored 38 points on 12-for-21 shooting with seven three-pointers in his first game for Boston, a franchise record for points in a Celtics debut. George scored 31 of his 38 points in the first three quarters as Boston built its big lead.


Jayson Tatum scored 13 points on 6-for-23 shooting with 11 assists for the Celtics, while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard scored 17 points apiece. Mazzulla also pointed to small details that hurt Boston, including fouling jump shooters at the end of quarters.





The Celtics can bounce back against the Knicks in the home opener


Boston's next game is the home opener against the New York Knicks on Friday, October 23 at TD Garden in Boston. The Knicks are the defending champions and also lost on opening night, so both the Celtics and the Knicks will be chasing a first win of the 2026-27 season.


For the Celtics, the fix Mazzulla described starts on offense: better rim reads, fewer live-ball turnovers, and more consistent crashing than Boston showed in the second half against Detroit. Keeping the game five-on-five is how Boston protects its half-court defense.


Frequently asked questions about the Celtics' loss to the Pistons


What did Joe Mazzulla say after the Celtics lost to the Pistons?

Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics have to fix their offense, because empty offensive possessions and poor rim reads gave the Detroit Pistons transition points, and he also cited fouling jump shooters at the end of quarters.


What was the final score of Celtics vs Pistons on October 20?

The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 121-113 on October 20, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena, coming back from a 22-point deficit behind a 23-0 run.


When is the Celtics' next game?

The Boston Celtics host the New York Knicks in the home opener on Friday, October 23, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston.


More Celtics

- Latest Celtics news

- Celtics: Jayson Tatum Vows to Play Better After Pistons Loss

- Celtics vs Pistons Final Score: Pistons 121, Celtics 113 in Collapse


Sources:

https://www.talkbasket.net/225110-joe-mazzulla-on-celtics-loss-to-pistons-we-have-to-fix-our-offense

https://985thesportshub.com/2026/10/21/celtics-collapse-to-open-new-franchise-era/

Location: Boston, MA, USA

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