The Detroit Pistons (14-11) will try to put an end to their five-game losing streak when they clash against the Boston Celtics (22-5) at Little Caesars Arena. The game starts at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 10, 2017, and will air on Fox Sports – Detroit.
Boston is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 202 points.
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons Free Prediction
In the Celtics’ last matchup, they were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs, 105-102. San Antonio’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Boston. The Spurs had a rate of 0.259 (above their season average of 0.192), while the Celtics posted a mark of 0.181 (below their season average of 0.213). Kyrie Irving was the game’s leading scorer with 36 points on 13-for-21 shooting.
The Pistons lost to the Golden State Warriors in their last matchup, 102-98. Golden State’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Detroit. The Warriors had a rate of 0.210 (above their season average of 0.195), while the Pistons posted a mark of 0.109 (below their season average of 0.168). With eight points and 17 rebounds, Andre Drummond put together a solid game for Detroit.
Half-court execution will be critical when a pair of the league’s slowest-paced teams clash. Detroit ranks 23rd in possessions per game (98.2) and Boston is 25th (97.8).
Boston heads into the contest with records of 22-5 straight up (SU) and 19-7-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Celtics’ 27 games, 14 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Detroit owns records of 14-11 SU and 16-7-2 ATS. Vegas is known to set the total high when the Pistons are involved, as 10 of their 27 games have finished under the projected point total.
Jayson Tatum has averaged 14.8 points and 5.4 rebounds over the last five games for Boston.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Drummond recorded 26 points, 22 rebounds and six assists and the Pistons beat the Celtics 118-108, covering as 6-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 226 points, which was 27 points above the projected point total of 199 points. The Pistons had a much better turnover percentage (7.8 vs. 16.5) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.5 vs. 13.5).
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pistons, ATS Winner – Pistons, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Boston is 10-3 ATS on the road with 7 overs and 6 unders.
Detroit is 7-3-1 ATS at home with 6 overs and 5 unders.
Boston is 16-0 when they allow under 100 points, while Detroit is 7-3.
When scoring more than 100 points, the Celtics are 16-3 and the Pistons are 12-4.
Boston ranks fifth in assists allowed per game (20.7) while Detroit ranks 27th (24.5).
The Celtics rank sixth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while the Pistons rank 25th (5.5).
Detroit ranks 10th in points off turnovers per game (18.0) while Boston ranks 27th (13.8).
The Pistons rank 14th in points in the paint per game (43.9) while the Celtics rank 28th (39.5).
Boston ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.7) while Detroit ranks seventh (7.3).
The Celtics rank seventh in rebounds per game (45.1) while the Pistons rank 13th in rebounds allowed per game (42.7).
Boston ranks fifth in three pointers allowed per game (26.1) while Detroit ranks ninth (26.7).
The Pistons rank third in fast break points allowed per game (8.6) while the Celtics rank fifth (9.0).
Boston is fourth in the NBA with 10.3 second chance points allowed per game while Detroit is fifth with 10.9 second chance points allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Boston is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Detroit is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Celtics’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.2, down from 6.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pistons have scored an average of 97.0 points per game (7.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 103.8 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
