The Pistons knocked off the surging Celtics in Boston Wednesday night, sending a message to the NBA world know who holds the cards in the Eastern Conference. Detroit won 87-85.

This was by far the most exciting game of the season so far. As the teams were tied at 85, Chauncey got fouled in the act of shooting by Tony Allen with 0.1 seconds left. He made both free throws, leaving Boston no time to even attempt a shot.

Chauncey killed the opposition Wednesday night, putting up 28 points and dishing out 8 assists. The Celtics simply had no answer for Mr. Big Shot.

Rasheed believes the Pistons are still the team to beat, despite all the hype about the Celtics. Apparently Boston coach Doc Rivers agrees:

“Rasheed is right. How about that?” Rivers said. “They are the team, and the Miami Heat too, because they are the last two teams [from the Eastern Conference] to win titles. Detroit has been through every situation that you can think of. We haven’t. We’ve been in nothing.”

I can’t say I agree with Rivers’ choice to include Miami in that list, but I definitely think the Pistons, with all of their experience and chemistry, are still the team to beat.

29 turnovers between the two teams.

Ray Allen, known tribally as He-Who-Jacks-Up-Shots-From-Every-Spot-On-The-Perimeter, was hitting everything he threw in the basket’s general direction. He didn’t care who was in his face, that ball was leaving his hands in a hurry- and going through the hoop. However, I must say I was displeased, at best, when he hit a long deuce and the refs called it a three, never even considering a review. Stones won 87-84 in my mind.

Max’s box numbers don’t do him justice. He was by far the biggest X-factor off the bench for either team.

The Pistons’ long-range accuracy saved them in this one. They went 9-20 from downtown.

Officiating was pretty sub-par in the 4th. A lousy call on Sheed as KG made his way to the bucket (Sheed didn’t lay a finger on him) immediately comes to mind.

Paul Pierce couldn’t knock down a bucket for the life of him.

Detroit handed Boston its first loss in 9 games, as well as the Celtics’ first home loss on the year. The Celtics are now 20-3 overall.

Guess who else was 20-3 after 23 games? Our very own 2005-2006 Pistons.