Boston's road warrior status is back in style

On the road.

No, it's true, they did.

What was impressive was how they won. It was a good, old-fashioned slugfest and for every right hook the Pistons landed the Celtics threw two devastating uppercuts beginning with that impressive opening game run.

"We can't let a team start like that," said Detroit's Rodney Stuckey, "period."

It can't be stated enough the toughness Boston demonstrated. On defense they held the Pistons to 38.4 percent shooting including one made 3-pointer in 13 attempts. Each time a Piston took a shot he had a hand in his face. Or two, or three.

There was one play that typified the Boston defense. Late in the third quarter the Pistons made pass after pass on the perimeter setting up their offense and trying to crack Boston's defense inside. There was no opening. Finally Tayshaun Prince, who was just 2 of 11 from the field, tossed a wild desperate heave as the shot clock wound down.

Wallace may have made the declaration that the Pistons were back but it was Garnett -- who has been criticized as a front-running, postseason softie -- who was the toughest player on the court. He had 22 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists.

What we might've seen the Celtics do is not just reclaim home court advantage but shut up people -- like me and many others -- who had questions about their road guts.

You can't be a great champion in pro sports without winning in someone else's building in the playoffs.

And the Celtics finally did.

Boston ... theeey're baaaaack.