What happened: Detroit got within 78-69 after trailing by 22, forcing a Boston timeout at 4:40 of the third. Green was plus-12 in 2:46 off the bench during the third-quarter push that cut the gap to nine.

Why it matters: Green is a former Celtic now supplying Detroit bench minutes on opening night. The run kept Detroit in range on a triple-header tip-off night with the defending champion Knicks also in action.

What to watch: Detroit tries to finish the comeback in the fourth with the second unit holding the momentum.