AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 5 (UPI) -- Michael Curry scored 15 points and was part of a record-setting 3-point attack Sunday as the Detroit Pistons handled the Boston Celtics, 96-84, in Game One of their NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Curry is a journeyman who has found a home in Detroit. He played all 82 games during the season and was Detroit's starting small forward, averaging only four points per game and making just seven 3-pointers the entire campaign.
But the 6-6 swingman established a playoff career high and made three 3-pointers Sunday. Two of them came in the third quarter, when the Pistons broke open the game and built a 16-point lead.
Curry's long-distance shooting was infectious as Detroit set a franchise playoff mark with 12 3-pointers in 25 attempts. Cliff Robinson tied a club record with six and scored 30 points and Jerry Stackhouse had a terrific all-around game with 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Boston was 19-of-29 from the arc in Friday's win and has made the 3-pointer the top weapon in its offense. But the Celtics were just 6-of-19 from that range Sunday.
The offensive outburst was unexpected from Curry, who has carved a niche for himself with defense and leadership. Those abilities got him matched up with Paul Pierce, Boston's All-Star swingman who scored a career-high 46 points Friday in dispatching Philadelphia.
Curry limited Pierce to 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting. After making eight 3-pointers Friday, Pierce was 0-of-3 from the arc.
Game Two of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday in Detroit.
