Celtics still lacking a killer instinct

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- Late in Game 4 of Boston versus Detroit, the Pistons' Jason Maxiell was able to squeeze his slim 260 pounds near the basket, take a clean pass and connect despite being fouled hard by Ray Allen.

The Pistons once again show that they will not go down without a fight. (Getty Images)

Boston's Sam Cassell moved quickly to talk with another Celtics defender. Cassell was somewhat irked. Kevin Garnett became involved in the chat and just a few seconds later, Garnett and Cassell were having a brief, slightly excited conversation.

It's not fair to call it an argument; it wasn't nearly that. It was just a super quick flashpoint where Garnett showed the frustration of not only what would become a 94-75 loss that left the series tied at 2 but also the disappointment of Boston playing one of its worst games in the postseason at a time when it could have demonstrated something resembling a killer instinct.

It's understandable Garnett was bothered. He had 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting and earlier, in a moment that illustrated Boston's offensive impotence, Garnett had a runaway dunk swiped from behind by Maxiell.

"I saw him in transition ahead of me and decided not to give him an easy lay-up," Maxiell said, "and I decided it was a perfect time to block a shot."

Well, ah, nice decision.

That's the kind of night it was for Boston.

Their dunks were as errant as their jump shots.

If you were able to watch this game from start to finish, well, congratulations, you deserve a medal pinned to your britches for not burning out your retinas.

For a while there, the Wings game had more offense, as the Celtics shot 27 percent in the first half and both teams made only three of 10 3-pointers.

Introducing the new motto of Eastern Conference basketball: If we make a shot, you take a drink, which means it'll be 20 years before you get buzzed.

One of Craig Sagers' banana-skin suits is easier on the eyes than some of the basketball in this series.

Despite Boston's abominable shooting, the Celtics, amazingly, still had opportunities to take control of the game. Boston trailed 78-73 with three minutes remaining because at certain points the Pistons shot the ball like they were missing two fingers.