After putting the early season struggles behind them, the Boston Celtics are quietly 18-10 SU in the Eastern Conference and will look to win their ninth game in a row when they visit the Detroit Pistons tonight. The Celtics have already beaten the Pistons twice this year and are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS in the last 10 games in this matchup. Detroit is in the middle of a six-game swoon and has sunk down to 13-13 SU in 26 games after a promising start.
The Celtics opened as 2-point favorites with a total of 212.
- The Celtics are 8-0 SU and ATS in their last 8 games.
- The Pistons are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in last 6 games.
- The UNDER has hit in 7 of the Pistons’ last 8 games.
Celtics vs Pistons Game Center
What is Wrong with the Pistons?
Mainly, it’s the offense that is holding them back as they’re only averaging 108.1 points per game over the last 14 games which ranks 20th in the league in that span. Blake Griffin may be averaging 25.6 points per game but outside of him and Andre Drummond, there isn’t much support on the rest of the bench. When you’re relying on guys like Reggie Bullock to be a secondary scorer, it may be time to make a trade.
As a result, Detroit has dropped six straight games and is allowing an average of 114.5 points per game in that span. The Pistons may have a winning record at home at 9-6 SU but for spread-bettors, they’ve gone 6-9 ATS and are an ugly 4-10 SU when tabbed as an underdog.
I think bettors should find it difficult to want to take the Pistons on the spread because they haven’t proven this season to be a reliable spread-bet and have already dropped two games to the Celtics this year. Factoring in that they’re 1-6 SU in the last seven games in this matchup and that Detroit has failed to cover in its last five games at home vs the Celtics, this one almost seems too easy.
Celtics Might be The East’s Sleeping Giant
Winners of eight straight and covering in each game, the Celtics have become one of the hottest bets in the NBA. Kyrie Irving has come alive during this stretch as he’s averaging over 25.6 points per game, 7.2 assists and 49 percent from deep. His scoring has helped to offset the loss of Al Horford down low who is still nursing a knee injury and will be out for tonight’s game.
Anyone who watched the Celtics earlier this season knew there would be an adjustment period to reintegrate Kyrie and Gordon Hayward. Hayward has been moved to the bench which has been a great move by coach Brad Stevens because the Celtics’ offense is averaging an insane 126 points per game during this winning streak and has pushed Boston to 11th in points per game in the league.
I think the Celtics are rolling and have no problem picking them on the second game of a back-to-back despite them being 1-3 SU and ATS in that scenario. They were the faves in the East prior to the season for a reason and they finally look like they’ve clicked. Winning eight straight by an average margin of 20.5 points per game may also make this the lock of the season.
Celtics’ Strong Offense May Not Be Enough For OVER Wager
The total opened at 212 and with the way both of these defenses have played this year, UNDER may be the smart play. The UNDER has hit in seven of the Pistons’ last eight games with an average combined score of 210.6. In two games between these teams earlier this season, one game ended with a final combined score of 210 and 198 so I like that trend to continue.
My Pick Is…
To take the Celtics to cover the spread. This one is simple. The line is too low and the Celtics are the better team. Kyrie is balling and if this line was closer to 6 or 7, I’d consider the Pistons but as long as they want to make it less than a two-possession game, give me Boston all day in this matchup.
