Let’s not overthink tonight’s NBA schedule. I can quickly look at the defending champion Boston Celtics, notice their five days off, and trust they will blow out the lowly Detroit Pistons.
My Pistons vs. Celtics predictions recognize the value granted by oddsmakers in not adjusting this spread for that time off. Sure, both teams got to enjoy it before tip at 7:30 ET on Thursday, December 12, but it should revitalize Boston more in my latest NBA picks.
Pistons vs Celtics prediction
My best bet
Celtics 1H -7 (-105 at bet365)
My analysis
Eight days ago, the Boston Celtics were a 12-point home favorite against the Detroit Pistons, winning 130-120 after entering the fourth quarter with a 15-point lead. The Pistons shot an unreasonable 51.3% from beyond the arc, and on the season, Detroit is hitting just 36.3% of its 3-pointers.
In that recent loss to the defending champs, the Pistons were on the second night of a back-to-back, but the Celtics were playing their third game in four nights. The schedule edge should hardly have inflated that spread, and now they have each had plenty of rest.
Since then, Boston has played two games, while Detroit has graced the floor only once. Credit the NBA Cup quarterfinals for this early-season pause.
Has anything changed enough to knock this spread down by a point? Some will point to that back-to-back a week ago, despite the Celtics also being worn out. Otherwise, there is no explanation for this spread to be so short.
Furthermore, Boston knows its defense was atrocious in that matchup, redeemed by a rebounding edge (43 to 34) and a healthy free-throw margin (25 attempted vs. 18 attempted). Those latter thoughts should be replicated tonight, while the Celtics better focus their perimeter defense on the Pistons’ playmakers.
Any 11-point spread is a hefty one and certainly vulnerable to a backdoor cover. That's essentially what happened a week ago when the Celtics led by 14 points at halftime.
Let’s trust Boston to again win the first half, knowing exactly what works against Detroit and having more energy to execute it tonight.
Pistons vs Celtics same-game parlay
Celtics 1H -7
Tobias Harris Under 12.5 points
Malik Beasley Under 3.5 threes
Tobias Harris went 6-of-9 from 3 in that matchup a week ago. Malik Beasley went 6-of-11.
What film do you think the Celtics have studied during this week off?
Beasley’s points prop is a comical 13.5 — so if he hits the Over on his threes, he will be within a bucket of hitting the Over on his points. Meanwhile, Harris’s made 3-pointers prop is 1.5, thus creating the logic of targeting points with one and threes with the other in these Under props.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Pistons vs Celtics odds
Pistons vs Celtics live odds
Pistons vs Celtics opening odds
- Spread: Detroit +13.5 | Boston -13.5
- Moneyline: Detroit +800 | Boston -1300
- Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Odds courtesy of bet365.
Pistons vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis
- This spread opened with Boston favored by 13.5 on Tuesday afternoon, not notably moving until Wednesday evening, then falling to -12.5 and down to -11 early on Thursday afternoon.
- This total opened at 228.5 on Tuesday and then spent Wednesday falling to 226.5, valleying at 226 on Thursday before briefly bouncing back to 227.
- It could be reasonably surmised that the total falling from 228.5 is somewhat a nod to the days off, with neither team playing since Saturday and their defenses subsequently expected to be more aggressive tonight.
Pistons vs Celtics trend
After starting the season 9-5-1 against the spread, Detroit has fallen off, just 3-7 ATS since November 18. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Celtics.
How to watch Pistons vs Celtics
| Location: | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date: | Thursday, 12-12-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Pistons vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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