The phrase “flip a switch” has a negative connotation for most sports fans, since it brings to mind a team that takes its opponents lightly.
The Celtics seem to have a switch, but they don’t appear to take opponents lightly. On Friday, they let the Pistons hang tough, but they delivered a haymaker at the right time to claim a 114-103 win.
The Celtics seem to have figured out exactly when they need to apply pressure. Their defensive rating looked like it would take a hit when the Pistons scored 90 points through three quarters but instead absorbed a small ding.