I’m not sure why this contest is starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. Does it probably have something to do with people already being home for Thanksgiving and needing something to watch? Yes. Will I look that up to confirm? There’s simply no time.
What I do know is that the Pistons come into Wednesday’s action riding a 13-game winning streak. The team hasn’t lost in almost a full month, with Detroit’s last defeat coming against the Cavaliers back on October 27.
Can the Celtics stop the streak? Let’s preview tonight’s game with the help of some of some odds and lines on the DraftKings Sportsbook.
Pistons vs. Celtics prediction, preview
Don’t look now, but the Pistons are actually in the process of getting healthier — and, in theory, better. How is that possible? Well, Jaden Ivey returned to the court on Saturday against the Bucks, logging 15.3 minutes in his first taste of NBA action in almost 11 months. The former fifth-overall pick then saw just 11.5 minutes off the bench in Monday’s win over the hapless Pacers, yet Ivey still managed to score 12 points in that limited run, hitting five of his 10 field goal attempts and finishing with a team-high 35.6% usage rate. It’s unclear exactly what Ivey’s role will look like when his conditioning gets all the way back to where it needs to be. Ivey did start all 30 games he played in 2024-25. Would he be in line to take Duncan Robinson’s spot in the starting five? Or would J.B. Bickerstaff prefer Ivey as a microwave scorer as a sixth man? Either way, it’s a good problem to have.
For the season, Detroit ranks fourth in the NBA in net rating (+6.9). Defense appears to be the team’s calling card, as the Pistons are only allowing 110.4 points per 100 possessions — the third-lowest mark in the league and the best mark in the Eastern Conference. Cade Cunningham has obviously been fantastic, nearly averaging a double-double with 27.1 points and 9.6 assists per start. However, it’s Jalen Duren that’s been the revelation. The big man has had flashes across his first three NBA seasons, and he’s always shown the ability to be an elite rebounder, but I’m not sure anyone was expecting this level of leap in 2025-26. In fact, Duren is one of only five players in the league currently producing over 20 points and 10 rebounds per contest, joining the likes of Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns and Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s some pretty impressive company.
Specific to tonight, Duren should have little resistance at the rim or on the glass, as the Celtics will be without Neemias Queta, who was only able to log 5.8 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Magic due to an ankle issue. Queta has quitely been one of the most impactful players in the East so far this season, with Boston holding opponents to 105.0 points per 100 possessions with the former second-round pick on the floor. Without him? The Celtics don’t really have a true center or rim protector, and they’ve surrendered 124.8 points per 100 possessions. Woof. Boston will likely need a huge Luka Garza performance — along with Jaylen Brown and Derrick White — if it wants to end Detroit’s lengthy winning streak this evening.
Pistons vs. Celtics pick, best bet
Best Bet: Jalen Duren 33+ Points + Rebounds (-113)
The Celtics maintain the league’s slowest pace (96.5), which isn’t ideal for accumulating counting stats, but this matchup is too good to ignore for Duren. Without the Neemias Queta, Boston is susceptible in the paint. Duren will take advantage.
