Beasts of the East collide on Monday night, as the Boston Celtics host the Detroit Pistons at TD Garden.
The Pistons (20–5, 1st East) have been borderline unstoppable this season and aim to extend their winning streak to four games after a 27-point annihilation of the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. The Celtics (15–10, 3rd East) have held strong without Jayson Tatum, winning seven of their last ten but looking to rebound from a Thursday loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The season series is split at 1–1, capped by Boston’s 117–114 home win on Nov. 26 that snapped Detroit’s franchise-record-tying 13-game winning streak.
Here’s a look at Monday night’s Injury Report:
Detroit Pistons
- Out: Isaac Jones (G League Assignment), Bobi Klintman (G League Assignment)
Boston Celtics
- Out: Jayson Tatum (Achilles)
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Boston enters as a slight 1.5-point home favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Detroit is listed as a +102 underdog. The game’s total is set at 229.5 points.
Pistons vs. Celtics Preview
Detroit Pistons Preview
Detroit could be witnessing a turning point in franchise history. The Pistons have made just three playoff appearances since 2010, failing to advance beyond the first round in any of them. They lost an NBA-record 28 games in a row just two seasons ago. Now? They’re dominating the Eastern Conference, appearing — at least through the first 25 games of the season — like a legitimate title contender.
The Pistons offer a balanced offensive attack headlined by star guard Cade Cunningham. The Nike athlete is averaging 26.9 points and 9.1 assists per game — the latter mark ranking second in the NBA. Burgeoning big man Jalen Duren supplies a formidable presence down low, averaging 18.6 points and 11.3 rebounds a night.
But where Detroit really thrives is on the other end. Reminiscent of the Bad Boy days, the Pistons boast physical and aggressive coverage that ranks third in defensive rating, second in blocks, fourth in steals, and sixth in fewest points allowed. Motor City also features one of the most tenacious glass-cleaning efforts in the NBA.
Boston Celtics Preview
The Celtics are perennial title contenders — with or without their superstar. Boston, playing without the injured Jayson Tatum, has remained one of the toughest teams in the East with a clean, methodical offense that allows the NBA’s fewest turnovers per game and ranks third in offensive rating.
Fellow star Jaylen Brown has stepped up in Tatum’s absence, averaging a career-high 29.1 points with 6.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists a night. Sharpshooting guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard flank the 2024 Finals MVP, each adding roughly 17 points a night.
While their middling defensive rating paints a sloppier picture on the other end, the Celtics allow the NBA’s third-fewest points per game. The guard-heavy Boston maintains an imposing paint presence with seven-footer Neemias Queta, who leads the team with 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per night.
Pistons vs. Celtics Pick, Best Bet
The Pistons return to Boston with extra fuel, hungry to avenge a narrow loss that spoiled franchise history. They’ve already beaten the Celtics this season, and after falling just short in their second meeting, they should have a clearer understanding of what it takes to conquer them on the road.
Count on Detroit to deploy its full offensive arsenal while asserting itself on the defensive end. The Pistons have largely neutralized opponents’ home-court advantage this season, and they should do so again on Monday night.
