On this day in Boston Celtics history, the team defeated the Detroit Pistons 89-81 in Game 6 of the 2008 Eastern Conference finals to advance to their first NBA Finals since 1987, where they would face their longtime rival Los Angeles Lakers on their way to winning their 17th banner.
The Celtics would beat the Pistons via a future Hall of Fame trio, with 27 points and 8 rebounds from small forward Paul Pierce, 17 points from shooting guard Ray Allen, and big man Kevin Garnett adding 16 points and 6 rebounds. Detroit led by as much as 10 points in the final frame, but ultimately could not hold it, the Game 6 loss in the Conference Finals their third such exit in three years.
