Celtics vs. Pistons prediction, odds, line, spread, time: 2025 NBA picks, February 26 bets by simulation model
The Detroit Pistons are set to host the Boston Celtics in an Eastern Conference matchup on Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena. Detroit is 32-26 overall and 15-13 at home, while Boston is 42-16 overall and 24-6 on the road. Both teams are riding lengthy winning streaks. Detroit has won seven straight games, and is looking to build off its 106-97 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. Boston has won six straight, after beating the Toronto Raptors 111-101 on Tuesday. The Pistons are 33-24-1 and the Celtics are 26-32 against the spread this season. Jaylen Brown (thigh) is questionable for Boston.
Tipoff in Detroit is at 7 p.m. ET. The Celtics are favored by 5 points in the latest Pistons vs. Celtics odds via SportsLine consensus, and the over/under is 226.5 points. Before locking in any Pistons vs. Celtics picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 19 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 147-106 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 18-10 (64%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
The model has set its sights on Boston vs. Detroit and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:
The Celtics are hoping to do what the Clippers couldn’t on Monday: put an end to the Pistons’ winning streak, which now stands at seven games. The Pistons came out on top against the Clippers by a score of 106-97. The Pistons can attribute much of their success to Cade Cunningham, who almost dropped a double-double on 32 points and nine rebounds.
Cunningham has now scored at least 30 points in four straight games. The former No. 1 overall pick enters Wednesday averaging 25.8 points, 9.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. Center Jalen Duren is averaging a double-double for Detroit with per game averages of 11.1 points and 10.3 rebounds. See which team to pick here.
Meanwhile, the Celtics entered their contest with the Raptors on Tuesday with five consecutive wins but they’ll enter their next game with six. They cruised to a 111-101 victory over Toronto. The Celtics’ win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Derrick White, who went 6 for 11 from beyond the arc en route to 22 points plus five assists and three steals.
The Celtics once again look like one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Boston currently sits in second place, trailing only the Cleveland Cavaliers. Six-time NBA All-Star Jayson Tatum leads the way for the Celtics averaging 26.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. See which team to pick here.
The model has simulated Pistons vs. Celtics 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under on the point total, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in nearly 60% of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Pistons vs. Celtics, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Celtics vs. Pistons spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
Here are some of the sportsbooks to bet on NBA games today, along with the various NBA sportsbook promos they currently offer.
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SportsLine’s model just revealed its NBA best bets and predictions for the Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons game on Wednesday
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Pistons 117, Celtics 97
Boston Celtics (42-16) at Detroit Pistons (32-26) Game #59 2/26/25
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The Celtics look for their 7th straight game as they head to Detroit for their 4th and final game against the Pistons this season.
Boston Celtics (42-16) at Detroit Pistons (32-26)
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
7:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game #59, Road Game #31
TV: NBCSB, FDSNDT, NBA-LP
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 97.1 The Ticket, SiriusXM
Little Caesars Arena
The Celtics head to Detroit for their second straight road game, having played in Toronto on Tuesday night. This is the 4th, and final, game between these two teams this season. The Celtics are 3-0 against them so far this season. The Celtics won 106-98 in Detroit on 10/26. They won in Boston 130-120 on 12/4 and, again in Boston, 123-99 on 12/12.
The Celtics won the series 3-0 last season. The Celtics are 254-140 overall all time and they are 129-94 in games played in Detroit. the Celtics are playing on the second night of back to back games, having played in Toronto on Tuesday night. The Celtics are 5-3 in the second of back to back games this season and they are 2-1 when the second game is on the road. They are 2-1 when both the first and second games are on the road.
The Pistons made some moves before the season. They signed Malik Beasley and Tobias Harris as free agents. They signed rookies Ronald Holland II and Bobi Klintman. They acquired Wendell Moore Jr. from Minnesota in exchange for draft considerations. They later waived Moore. They also claimed Paul Reed off waivers. They fired Head Coach Monty Williams and hired JB Bickerstaff as coach. They also parted ways with general manager Troy Weaver. At the trade deadline they added Dennis Schroder in the trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Golden State.
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The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 6 games behind the first place Cleveland Cavaliers, who have won their last 8 games. They are now 4.5 games ahead of the 3rd place Knicks after the Celtics beat them on Sunday. The Celtics are 24-6 on the road. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games. They are 31-9 against Eastern Conference teams. The Celtics have won their last 6 games.
The Pistons are among the hottest teams in the league. They are 6th in the East, 16 games behind first place Cleveland, 1 game behind 4th place Indiana and 5th place Milwaukee. They are 3.5 games ahead of 7th place Orlando. The Pistons are 15-13 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are 22-20 against Eastern Conference teams and they have won 7 straight games.
The Celtics began the final stretch after the All Star break with a 20 point win at Philadelphia before returning home to beat the Knicks by 13. They won by 10 Tuesday night at Toronto and are now playing the second game in as many nights in Detroit. Next after this 2 game road trip, the Celtics then have a 7 game home stand against Cleveland, Denver, Portland, Philadelphia, LA Lakers, Utah, and Oklahoma City. After the 7 home games they will play 8 of the next 9 games on the road, including another trip out West.
On Tuesday night, Al Horford (toe), Jrue Holiday (rest), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Luke Kornet (personal) were out for the Toronto game. The mid-day injury report for the Celtics has Luke Kornet out for this game due to personal reasons. Jaylen Brown seemed to tweak his leg in Tuesday’s game and is questionable for this game. Sam Hauser (back) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) are both questionable for this game. Although, after Tuesday’s game, Joe Mazzulla indicated that he expected Porzingis to play in this one.
For the Pistons, Simone Fontecchio dislocated his right finger in Sunday’s win over Atlanta, He missed Monday’s game and is out for this one. Former Maine Celtic Ron Harper, Jr just signed a Two-Way contract with Detroit and is out for this game due to a thumb injury. Jaden Ivey hasn’t played since Jan. 1 after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left fibula and is out for this game. 2-Way player Tolu Smith is out with an Achilles injury. Dennis Schroder is questionable with ankle soreness.
Probable Celtics Starters
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jaylen Brown
PF: Jayson Tatum
C: Kristaps Porzingis
Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Torrey Craig
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh
Sam Hauser
2 Way Players
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anton Watson
Injuries/Out
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) questionable
Luke Kornet (personal) out
Sam Hauser (back) questionable
Jaylen Brown (leg) questionable
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Probable Pistons Starters
PG: Cade Cunningham
SG: Tim Hardaway, Jr
SF: Ausar Thompson
PF: Tobias Harris
C: Jalen Duren
Pistons Reserves
Malik Beasley
Simone Fontecchio
Ron Holland II
Bobi Klintman
Paul Reed
Marcus Sasser
Dennis Schroder
Isaiah Stewart
Lindy Waters III
2-Way Players
Daniss Jenkins
Ron Harper, Jr
Tolu Smith
Injuries/Out
Simone Fontecchio (finger) out
Ron Harper, Jr (thumb) out
Jaden Ivey (lower leg) out
Tolu Smith (Achilles) out
Dennis Schroder (ankle) questionable
Head Coach
JB Bickerstaff
Key Matchups
Jrue Holiday vs Cade Cunningham
Cunningham is averaging 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1 steal per game. He is shooting 46% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. In the first 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 22 points, 7.7 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 2 blocks while shooting 44.6% from the field but just 23.8% from beyond the arc. He had 32 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in the game against the Clippers on Monday. Slowing him down will go a long way toward slowing down the Pistons.
Payton Pritchard vs Malik Beasley
This is a matchup of 6th Man of the Year candidates. Beasley is averaging 16.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. He is shooting 44% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc. In the last game against the Celtics he went 2-4 and that moved him into 100th on the all time 3 points made list. In the 3 games against the Celtics he averaged 15 points and 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 45.5% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need their own 6th man sharpshooter to have a good game on both ends of the court.
Honorable Mention
Jayson Tatum vs Tobias Harris
Harris is averaging 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. He is shooting 37% from the field and 33% from beyond the arc. In 3 games against the Celtics, he averaged 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds 2.7 assists and 1 steal per game while shooting 40.5% from the field and 41.2% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to do a better job of defending him on the perimeter.
Keys to the Game
Defense – Defense will always be key to winning every game. The Celtics are 5th in the league with a 109.6 defensive rating while the Pistons are 12th with a defensive rating of 112.4. The Pistons are 12th in the league, averaging 114.4 points per game. The Celtics have to come into this game with the mindset that they need to play tough defense and not underestimate the Pistons, who have a lot of young and hungry players and who are playing as well as any team in the league.
Rebound – Rebounding is important to give the Celtics extra possessions and to limit possessions for their opponents. The Celtics and Pistons are both averaging 45.3 rebounds per game (8th). In their first meeting, the Pistons out-rebounded the Celtics 44-37. In the second game the Celtics out rebounded the Pistons 43-34 and in the third game, the Celtics out rebounded the Pistons 52-43. The Celtics have to once again crash the boards and out-rebound the Pistons. Rebounding takes effort and the Celtics need to give extra effort to beat the Pistons to rebounds. When they show extra effort on the boards, it often shows up in other areas of the game as well.
3 Point Shooting – The Celtics are first in the league with 48.3 threes attempted per game and first with 17.8 makes per game. They are 9th, shooting 36.9% from three while the Pistons are 13th shooting 36.3% on threes. When the Celtics shoot 3’s in the flow of the game they are usually very good. But when they try to force it, they often go cold. They need to not force 3’s and continue to move the ball and take the best shot. Also, if the 3’s aren’t falling in this game they need to abandon that strategy and take the ball inside. The Celtics also need to defend the perimeter as too often they allow teams to shoot above their averages from beyond the arc.
Move the Ball – The Celtics play best when the ball is moving and players move to get open to find the best shots. When the ball sticks, the offense is stagnant and the Celtics struggle to score. They need to make good passes and keep the ball moving rather than lapsing into hero ball. The Pistons are 9th with 18.9 points off turnovers per game and so along with moving the ball, they also need to make careful passes and not turn it over.
X-Factors
Back to Back on the Road – TThe Celtics are on the road and have to overcome the distractions that come with travel and playing in a hostile arena. They are also playing on the second night of back to back games, having played in Toronto on Tuesday. Hopefully they will have Porzingis, Horford and Holiday available for this one since all 3 sat out Tuesday’s game which would help some with the fatigue of playing back to back.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently. Some call it tight and call every bit of contact while others allow more physical play. Some favor the home team while others call both sides evenly. The Celtics have to adjust to the way the refs are calling the game and not allow the no calls and bad calls to affect their focus on playing the game.
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