Pistons and Celtics Clash in Final Regular Season Battle
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, basketball fans get a treat. The top teams in the Eastern Conference meet for the fourth and final time this regular season. The Detroit Pistons host the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena.
This matchup carries significant weight. The Pistons currently hold a strong position in the standings. They sit at 30-10, which puts them 4.5 games ahead of the Celtics, who are 26-15.
Season Series and Recent Form
The Pistons have the upper hand in the season series. They have won two of the three previous meetings. Their first victory came on October 26 at home, where they secured a 119-113 win.
Detroit enters this game with strong momentum. They have won five of their last six contests. Their most recent performance was a dominant 121-78 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Boston is also playing well. The Celtics have secured seven wins in their last ten games. They come off a convincing 132-106 win against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Home court advantage could be a factor. The Pistons boast an impressive 16-4 record at Little Caesars Arena. Meanwhile, the Celtics have a solid 14-8 record on the road.
When and Where to Watch
The game tips off at 8 p.m. on January 19. NBC will broadcast the entire match for television viewers. Fans can also stream the action live on Fubo and Peacock platforms.
Expected Starting Lineups
Detroit Pistons
- PG: Cade Cunningham
- SG: Duncan Robinson
- SF: Ausar Thompson
- PF: Tobias Harris
- C: Jalen Duren
Boston Celtics
- PG: Payton Pritchard
- SG: Derrick White
- SF: Jaylen Brown
- PF: Sam Hauser
- C: Neemias Queta
Injury Report
The Pistons enter this game with a clean bill of health. No injuries have been reported for their squad.
Boston faces some challenges. The Celtics will be without three key players:
- Chris Boucher (Back) - Out
- Josh Minott (Ankle) - Out
- Jayson Tatum (Achilles) - Out
Game Prediction and Betting Lines
Sportsbooks favor the Pistons in this matchup. Detroit is currently a 3.5-point favorite. The over/under for total points is set at 224.5.
On the moneyline, the Pistons are -150 favorites to win outright. Boston is listed at +125 to pull off the upset.
This game presents an opportunity for the Celtics. They can narrow the gap in the Eastern Conference standings with a victory. For the Pistons, it's a chance to solidify their position and win the season series.
Both teams average about 117 points per game. They also give up approximately 110 points each contest. This suggests we could see a high-scoring affair.
After this game, these two teams will not meet again in the regular season. That adds extra importance to this Martin Luther King Jr. Day showdown.
