The Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons meet to open the 2026-27 NBA season Tuesday. Tip from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, is set for 3 p.m. ET (NBC). Let's analyze NBA odds around the Celtics vs. Pistons odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2025-26 season series: Pistons won 3-1, including both games in Detroit
The Celtics had a chaotic offseason, having been involved in a blockbuster trade that sent F Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for F Paul George and multiple draft picks. Boston also added C Mitchell Robinson and G Mike Conley to the roster. The Celtics will be captained by F Jayson Tatum, who has averaged 26 points per game or more in 5 of his last 6 seasons. Boston finished
last season 56-26, second in the Eastern Conference, and was bounced in the first round in 7 games by the 76ers.
The Pistons' major offseason headline was the retention of star C Jalen Duren, who inked a 5-year, $200 million extension. Two years after a 14-win season, the Pistons won 60 games and finished atop the Eastern Conference, and expectations are high for Detroit. It was eliminated in a 7-game East semifinal series by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pistons are are led by Duren (19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds per game) and G Cade Cunningham, who averaged 23.9 points and a career-high 9.9 assists per game last season.
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Celtics at Pistons odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 5:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Celtics -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Pistons -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -1.5 (+100) | Pistons +1.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -118 | U: -110)
Celtics at Pistons key injuries
Celtics
- None
Pistons
- F Taurean Prince (personal) questionable
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Celtics at Pistons picks and predictions
Prediction
Pistons 110, Celtics 106
Moneyline
BET PISTONS (-105).
The Pistons struggled in the playoffs last season, but they kept together one of the best young cores in the NBA. Duren and Cunningham both back should help the Pistons sustain their home success; they went 31-9 on their home court last season.
The Celtics have some pieces to glue together, and that might take time. George is also aging and won't be a comparable replacement to Brown. Boston brought in Robinson, but it doesn't have a lot of size to match up with Duren, outside of the 7-foot center who hasn't played more than 28 minutes per game in any season of his 8-year career.
Expect the home side to win this one and take PISTONS (-105).
Against the spread
PASS.
No need to pay more for a point and a half. If you like the Pistons just bet them straight up. If you like the Celtics, give the 1.5 points for a better value.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 221.5 (-110).
Both teams were premier defensive sides last season. The Celtics ranked fourth in defensive rating (111.7), and the Pistons were one up on them as the third-best defense in the league (108.9).
Tatum is an elite scorer, but F Ausar Thompson has the size to keep him under control. Bleacher Report recently ranked Thompson as the second-best defensive player in the NBA, and if he can limit Tatum, expect the Celtics ' offense to be sluggish.
Best prop bet
Celtics F JAYSON TATUM UNDER 26.5 POINTS (-114 FanDuel Sportsbook)
Again, it's all about Thompson here. Tatum didn't get a long run last season, coming back from a torn Achilles tendon in the season prior, and only played in 16 games He shot just 41.1% from the field a year ago and may struggle until he gets back into rhythm. With Thompson defending him, expect the Celtics star to struggle to open the season.
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons odds, picks and predictions
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