Stuckey’s 27 points, 11 rebounds help Pistons beat Celtics 92-86 in Rasheed Wallace’s return

Pistons beat Celtics 92-86 in Wallace’s return

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Rodney Stuckey scored 27 points and grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds, leading the Detroit Pistons to a 92-86 victory over the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Rasheed Wallace had 16 points in his first game as an ex-Piston at The Palace, where the once-adored player received a mixed welcome and was booed late in the closely contested game.

Wallace’s 3-pointer pulled Boston within four points with 43.5 seconds left. Richard Hamilton scored on the ensuing possession to seal Detroit’s fourth win in five games.

Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo each scored 21 points for the Celtics, who have lost three straight for the second time in less than a month.

Detroit’s Charlie Villanueva scored 19 points and Jason Maxiell had 12 off the bench.

The Pistons were without Ben Gordon (right groin), Tayshaun Prince (left knee) and Will Bynum (left ankle). Boston did not have Kevin Garnett for the 11th time this season, but his right knee is expected to be healthy enough for him to play Friday at home against Portland.

Even without their All-Star forward, the Celtics led by as much as 12.

Boston was up by eight at halftime and led 58-50 early in the third, but the Pistons responded with a 19-6 run that included seven points from Stuckey and six from Maxiell. The Celtics moved back into a 69-all tie at quarter’s end, and were ahead by five with nine minutes left.

Stuckey had six points in an 11-0 surge that gave the Pistons an 84-76 lead with 3:38 to go, and they held on for the victory.

The Celtics are 4-8 since they had a 23-5 record after winning on Christmas at Orlando.

NOTES: Pistons owner Karen Davidson said, “The options are being explored,” when asked after the first quarter if the team was for sale. … A jeering fan called Glen “Big Baby” Davis a “fat boy” and told him to lose some weight. Davis responded with an expletive.