The 2026-27 NBA season gets underway as the first game features Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics facing Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET. It is time to continue the NBA odds series with a Celtics-Pistons prediction and pick.
Boston went 56-26 overall and 36-16 in Eastern Conference play during the 2025-26 season. They finished second in the Eastern Conference standings before blowing a 3-1 series lead to the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round of the playoffs.
Detroit went 60-22 overall, 39-13 in Eastern Conference action and 32-9 at home during the 2025-26 season. Topping the East standings, they won their first playoff series since 2008 after coming back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Orlando Magic in the first round. However, their playoff run came to an end after losing in seven games to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Boston and Detroit had three contests against each other last season. Detroit won in all three matchups on Oct. 25 (119-113), Dec. 15 (112-105) and Jan. 19 (104-103).
Celtics vs. Pistons Odds
Celtics: -1 (-116)
Pistons: +1 (-104)
Over: 222 (-105)
Under: 222 (-115)
Celtics vs. Pistons Key Injuries
Celtics- G Devin Carter (Out)
Pistons- F Taurean Prince (GTD)
Celtics vs. Pistons Betting Trends
- The Celtics were 49-33 ATS in last year's regular season, the league's second-best mark.
Keys to Celtics vs. Pistons matchup
The Boston Celtics embraced a new era of their basketball history. They made the decision to trade star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George and draft compensation.
This paves the way for Jayson Tatum to settle in as the Celtics' undisputed top star. Paul George, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard round out the star core as a solid supporting cast concludes the team's roster. Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley stand out as the notable signings this past summer, providing valuable boosts in the backcourt and frontcourt.
Article Continues BelowDetroit finds itself in an intriguing yet tough spot despite exceeding expectations last season. They had a contract standoff with Jalen Duren, taking it all the way down to the deadline before the star center accepted his $200 million rookie contract extension. They also inked Ausar Thompson to a big extension as well, retaining a core that should keep Detroit firm as playoff contenders.
However, they suffered a key loss with Tobias Harris departing this offseason for the San Antonio Spurs. They filled in his absence by landing John Collins, who last played for the Los Angeles Clippers. Taurean Prince and Isaiah Joe also joined Detroit this offseason, presenting some valuable 3-point shooting that Detroit desperately needed last season for the roster.
Jayson Tatum had a full offseason of recovery after returning from his Achilles rehab late last season. He looks to be fully healthy and in form, leading Boston to a new direction following the blockbuster trade featuring his former co-star Jaylen Brown. He looks to have solid chemistry with Paul George, as the team's emphasis on perimeter shooting and all-round defense will remain the key areas as it was in past seasons under head coach Joe Mazzulla. The Celtics gave up 107.2 points per game while committing 19.0 fouls last season.
Cade Cunningham looks to make a case for MVP after an incredible campaign last season, earning All-NBA honors last season. Jalen Duren will have to prove himself to be worthy of his contract extension, elevating his skillset after underperforming in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Collins, Thompson, Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins, and Ron Holland seek to make pivotal impacts within the rotation. The Pistons allowed opponents to score 109.6 points per game and shoot 44.3% from the field last season.
Celtics vs. Pistons Prediction and Pick
This matchup between the Celtics and the Pistons stands out as an intriguing matchup. Boston still boasts significant talent despite no longer having Jaylen Brown, seeing key additions in the backcourt and frontcourt keep them firm as serious playoff contenders. As for Detroit, they hope to avoid regression after hitting 60 wins last season, anticipating growth from their relatively young star core. The Celtics get the win in this one and covers, while the over also hits.
Final Celtics vs. Pistons Prediction and Pick: Celtics -1 (-105) and over 222 (-105)