• Detroit erase 22-point deficit to beat Boston 121-113

• Paul George scores 38 points on Celtics debut in defeat

• Robinson scores 15 of his 21 points in fourth quarter

Duncan Robinson scored 15 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as the Detroit Pistons reeled off 23 unanswered points to beat the visiting Boston Celtics 121-113 in the NBA’s regular-season opener on Tuesday afternoon.

Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham scored 22 points apiece for the Pistons, who led the Eastern Conference with 60 wins last season.

Javonte Green came off the bench to score 19 points in 18 minutes, while Ausar Thompson added 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

Paul George scored a game-high 38 points on his Celtics debut. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White scored 17 points apiece, but Jayson Tatum was held to 13 points on six-for-23 shooting, although he contributed 11 assists.

The Celtics led by 13 at halftime thanks to a second-quarter surge. Detroit held a 39-35 advantage early in the quarter before Boston reeled off 15 unanswered points.

George scored the Celtics’ final eight points of the half as Boston took a 58-45 lead into the break.

George showed no signs of cooling off in the third quarter, hitting three three-pointers in a 52-second span to give Boston their biggest lead at 72-50.

Green entered the game shortly afterward to slow George down. He not only did that but also gave Detroit an offensive spark, scoring 11 points in the quarter, including three three-pointers, as the Pistons pulled within three in the closing seconds.

George opened the fourth quarter with a layup to give Boston a 90-82 lead. The Celtics soon stretched their advantage to 12 points, but Detroit began another comeback, sparked by a three-point play from Thompson.

Robinson scored 11 straight points to pull the Pistons within one at 99-98. He then set up a three-pointer for Green before Duren converted a three-point play. Robinson hit another three-pointer with 5min 13sec remaining to put Detroit ahead 107-99.

Green capped the 23-0 run with another three-pointer, extending the Pistons’ lead to 112-99 with 3min 33sec left.

Boston rallied to within four points, but Green made two free throws with 6.7 seconds remaining to seal Detroit’s opening-day victory.