How Ime Udoka, Celtics Will Approach Final Game Of Season Vs. Pistons

Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is not taking the Detroit Pistons lightly despite their 18-48 record. The Pistons, who visit Boston on Friday night, will be looking to end the Celtics’ four-game winning streak — an area they already have some experience in.

In a pre-game press conference Friday, one reporter asked what Udoka has learned from the first three matchups with the Pistons, noting that all three games so far have been close.

The Celtics are 2-1 against Detroit this season. Boston most recently claimed a 113-104 victory on Feb. 26 after dropping a 112-111 decision Feb. 11. The Celtics won the series opener on Feb. 4, 102-93.

“Yeah, that it’s a physical battle every time. They are not the Pistons of earlier this year. They’ve won six out of (their last) nine and they are playing extremely well,” Udoka said on a pre-game press conference. “The other three losses have been close games, competitive. Technically one was not close but our young fellas let them back in late. But like I said, they’ve improved throughout the season and (they are) getting everybody back healthy, (Cade) Cunningham is obviously a big piece of that.”

“The last two (matchups) have been battles, two bigger teams that play physical and we have to get used to that, (as well as) offensive rebounding and all of the things they do well. We have to be ready for that battle.”

The Celtics will look to end the season series against the Pistons on a high note at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday.