Celtics-Pistons preview: Effort and shot selection key areas to watch

Which version of the Boston Celtics can we expect to take the court against the Detroit Pistons in a rematch of their New Year’s day loss to the Pistons?

The one that came out with the energy level of a napping Jabba the Hutt, only to morph into a high-energy squad that was exclusively shooting jumpers blindfolded in the second half, or something closer to the team that beat the Milwaukee Bucks at the start of the season? And why do we already get the feeling this isn’t the last time we will end up asking a similar version of this question?

If the Celtics lose today, it won’t be because of the players they have on their roster, but how hard they try and the decisions they make while doing so. Will they lead by example and try driving if their shot demonstrably isn’t falling?

Or will they continue to play down to their opponents and pray the law of averages will bail them out instead of making their own luck at the free throw line?

Boston ought to win this contest handily, but we’re still smarting from the loss against Detroit on Friday — so we’re all too wise about how this could turn out if the team doesn’t show up.

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