The Pistons are 5-1 in their last six games, including wins over the Hawks and Heat, and they’re 8-3 on their travels this year. One of those losses came in a nail-biter at TD Garden in November, where Cade Cunningham & Co. almost overcame Boston's 47% night from 3-point range.

However, the matchup was a reminder of the best the Eastern Conference has to offer Boston right now as trade season begins. Boston fell to 1-2 on the season against the Pistons with the 112-105 defeat but there was a consensus that this game resembled a playoff contest.

Cade Cunningham scored 32 points and hit a season-high six 3-pointers to lead the Pistons, who improved to 21-5. The Celtics, who handed Detroit one of its five losses on Nov. 26, dropped their second straight game to fall to 15-11.

Sam Hauser left Monday’s Celtics game against the Detroit Pistons with an ankle sprain and is questionable to return.

BOSTON — Sam Hauser checked himself out of the Celtics’ game against the Pistons on Monday. He was downgraded on the injury report to questionable to return due to a left ankle sprain.

Thanks to Brown's big half, the Celtics took a 57-53 lead into halftime, but they fell behind late and couldn't catch the Pistons.

As good as Cunningham was for the Pistons, White was just as important for the Celtics. Guard Jaylen Brown may have led the team with 34 points (13-of-25 FG), eight rebounds and seven assists, but White kept the Celtics in contention late with 23 of his season-high 31 points coming in the second half.

Cade Cunningham had 32 points and 10 rebounds to help the Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics 112-105 on Monday night.

After all, the Celtics are in the early stages of a retooling process. Joe Mazzulla is coaching a roster full of unproven talent, fighting to prove they belong in the league. Interestingly, all three of Boston's young forwards,

What began as a routine matchup for the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons quickly changed tone when Sam Hauser abruptly made his way to the locker room with 9:47 left in the second quarter.