Avery Bradley has been enjoying a career year (16.1 ppg on 43 percent FG shooting and 41 percent from the three-point line) with the Detroit Pistons. Bradley’s emergence as a budding two-way star would not be possible if Celtics general manager Danny Ainge had not decided to trade him for some cap relief – which was used to sign Gordon Hayward – and veteran Marcus Morris.

It’s true that December has been rough for Bradley shooting wise. His field goal shooting percentage has dropped from 46 percent in November to 36 percent this month. Yet, there’s no doubt that Bradley’s stellar play on both ends of the floor, not to mention his huge impact on the Pistons’ resurgence this season, is giving the Celtics GM some sleepless night.

Of course, No GM would confess about regretting a certain deal, no matter how bad it turned out for their team. Ainge is not an exemption to this NBA stereotypes. He will defend that he made the right move by dumping Bradley’s expiring contract for a shot at an All-Star caliber wing in Hayward.

At the moment, the trade doesn’t look good for the Celtics on paper in short and probably the long-term. Hayward is currently sidelined with a season-ending ankle injury, and who knows what version of Hayward will be playing for Boston upon his return from a gruesome ankle injury. There’s too much uncertainty surrounding Hayward right now, while Bradley is thriving on a bigger offensive role with the Pistons.

As for the other guy, Morris is averaging 12 points on 41 percent FG shooting, but his impact on his new team pales in comparison with Bradley.

Pistons losing skid

After a sizzling one-and-half month run, Detroit finds themselves on a five-game losing skid and all of their defeats came against legit playoff contenders (Wiz, Bucks, 76ers, Spurs, and the Warriors).

Sunday’s clash with the Celtics presents a golden opportunity for the Pistons to get their campaign on the right track.

Apart from Bradley (who did an excellent defensive job on his former teammates last time), the Pistons will continue to lean on the league’s leading rebounder Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris, who combined 57 points and 30 rebounds in 118-108 win over the Celtics on November 28.

Celtics want to rise again after nail-biter

Boston is coming off a heartbreaking loss of 105-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Irving was flat-out brilliant in that game, finishing with 36 points on 13-for-21 shooting. Young wingers Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum also had big games as they combined for 35 points. However, the Celtics sorely missed the offensive production of Al Horford, who finished with two points on 1-for-6 shooting. He will be challenged once again as goes toe-to-toe with Drummond in the paint.
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