NBA: Boston 98, Detroit 80

Rajon Rondo led five players in double figures Thursday and the Boston Celtics dominated the middle two periods to cool off Detroit 98-80.

The Pistons had won four of their previous five games and a victory would have moved them into a tie with Cleveland for the top spot in the Central Division. A win would also have brought Detroit within a half game of the defending champion Celtics for the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Boston, however, overcame a sluggish start and cruised to a 20-point lead going into the final period.

Rondo scored 18 points, Kevin Garnett had 15 and Tony Allen 13 in helping the Celtics to their third straight victory.

Allen Iverson had 16 to pace the Pistons, who shot just 42 percent from the field.

Boston has downed Detroit four straight times.