The Boston Celtics (7-3) welcome the Detroit Pistons (3-8) to TD Garden on Wednesday. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Celtics have won 3 games in a row, but they did not cover as 4.5-point road favorites in Memphis on Monday, beating the Grizzlies 109-106. Boston is 3-1 at home this season.
The Celtics are led by superstar F Jayson Tatum, who could have some claim to the early-season MVP title. He is averaging 31.2 points per game and shooting 49.8% from the field.
As for Detroit, despite 2021 No. 1 overall pick G Cade Cunningham having a year under his belt, the Pistons have still struggled. Cunningham does lead the team though, averaging 21.4 points per game.
The Pistons are 0-5 on the road this season. They did win their last outing, a 112-103 victory at home Monday over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before that, Detroit had lost 3 straight, including a 112-88 defeat by the Cleveland Cavaliers at home.
Pistons at Celtics odds
- Moneyline (ML): Pistons +550 (bet $100 to win $550 ) | Celtics -900 (bet $900 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pistons +12.5 (-105) | Celtics -12.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pistons at Celtics key injuries
Pistons
- None
Celtics
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pistons at Celtics picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 114, Pistons 104
Moneyline
PASS.
Boston is significantly better on both sides of the court, but at -900, there is no value to bet the home team to win.
Against the spread
BET PISTONS +12.5 (-105).
As the records indicate, most metrics favor the Celtics, but at a double-digit spread, I wouldn’t back them. Boston had a similar roster a season ago and was just 21-28-1 ATS as a home favorite.
They also rank outside the top 10 in turnover rate and offensive rebounding rate, so extra opportunities may limit their ability to keep a lead extended. The Pistons defense also isn’t as bad as most other parts of their team, sitting 24th in defensive rebounding rate.
They have lost 5 games by this amount this season while Boston, although this should be a weaker opponent, has only won 2 games by this amount. Combine it all, and I would back Detroit +12.5 (-105).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 226.5 (-110).
The Pistons are the worst shooting team in the league while the Celtics hold the best defensive rating.
Expect Detroit to struggle scoring the ball. Neither team ranks in the top 10 in pace either with Detroit 13th and Boston 24th which assumes this should be a slower-paced game.
Given the Celtics defense strength and limited second-chance opportunities, back the Under 226.5 (-110).