The Boston Celtics had a great run on Tuesday night when they managed to defeat the sluggish Detroit Pistons 88-79 in the first game of the NBA Eastern Conference finals.

Kevin Garnett led with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Paul Pierce scored 22, taking their team to their straight 15th victory on their home floor, as they are trying to advance to the NBA finals for the first time since 1987.

The Celtics improved to 9-0 in Boston in the playoffs, a record that also helped them eliminate Atlanta and Cleveland, even if they failed to win a road game.

Kendrick Perkins had 10 rebounds and Rajon Rondo scored seven of his 11 points for Boston in the last quarter, as he hit a three -pointer with two minutes left until the buzzer. Rondo also had seven assists and five steals, managing to outplay Billups, the MVP of the 2004 NBA finals.

Tayshaun Prince had 16 points and Richard Hamilton nailed 15 points for the Pistons, who made it into the Eastern finals for the sixth straight year. Also, Antonio McDyess scored 14 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit and Chauncey Billups, who was out for the last two games due to a strained right hamstring, added nine points.

Billups said that the Boston’s great shape has a lot to do with the fact that they have not lost too many games recently.

Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will take place on Thursday night in Boston.