Celtics team up, win on the road

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Kevin Garnett led the Boston Celtics to their first win on the road in the playoffs.

He had plenty of help.

Garnett scored 22 points and was one of six players to make the Celtics' first six baskets, helping them build the first of many big leads en route to a 94-80 victory over the host Detroit Pistons on Saturday night and a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

The NBA's top-seeded team had lost its first six road games -- tying a league record -- and was 9-0 at home until losing to Detroit in the previous game.

"We took care of business, getting our first win on the road," Garnett said.

The Pistons will host Game 4 on Monday night.

"They got home court back," Detroit coach Flip Saunders said. "Monday is a crucial game for us -- the biggest of the year."

Detroit rallied to pull within 87-78 -- its smallest deficit since midway through the second quarter -- but couldn't get closer in a game in which it trailed by as many as 24 points.

"We didn't come out and play. That's it point blank," Pistons rookie Rodney Stuckey said. "We didn't give no effort at all at the start of the game, and you can't do that against a team like that."

Boston's Big Three scored as much as its supporting cast.

Garnett, Ray Allen (14) and Paul Pierce (11) combined for 47 points to match the rest of the team. Kendrick Perkins, Rajon Rondo and James Posey each scored 12 for the Celtics.

"Their role players really hurt us," Saunders said.

Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 26 points and Stuckey added 17.

Tayshaun Prince scored 4 points on 2-of-11 shooting and Chauncey Billups had 6 points and appeared to be slowed after aggravating his right hamstring injury in Game 2.

Boston, which scored the first 11 points, led 50-32 after holding Detroit to a playoff-low in the first half.

"The main concentration was to come out aggressive and get the lead early," Pierce said.