Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 21/03/2024, 13:47  by Joseph King | Modified on 22/03/2024 at 03:32 in NBA Predictions

A David vs Goliath matchup on Friday’s NBA slate sees the 14th-place Detroit Pistons taking on the conference leading Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena. No longer the worst team in the NBA (that title belongs to the Wizards), Detroit’s 12 wins and 57 losses now gives them the second-worst record in the league, just a single game ahead of the Wizards in the standings. The Pistons come into this one off the back of a 122-103 home defeat to the Pacers on Wednesday. It was the team’s fourth loss in a row after they had previously put together an encouraging run of three wins in four games just over one week ago. This young Pistons squad has really struggled on the offensive side of the ball during this four-game losing streak as they are averaging just 98.3 points per game. They’re dealing with a number of injuries as well, with no less than six players listed as out or day-to-day.

The Celtics are looking for a second win over Detroit in the past four days after dispatching them 119-94 at home earlier in the week. Boston was -15 favorites in that game and secured the blowout victory without the services of star player Jayson Tatum. Boston’s MVP candidate returned in the Celtics’ most recent 122-119 home win over the second-place Bucks, dropping 31 points while shooting 4-7 from deep. Boston has once again caught fire and has now rattled off seven consecutive wins. Their NBA-best 55-14 record has them atop the Eastern Conference and holding a massive 11-game lead over second place Milwaukee. The visitors could see Jrue Holiday return for this game after the 31-year-old missed the last two games with a shoulder injury. Holiday is shooting a career-best 44.5% from three this season. (Boston ranks second in the NBA in 3PT% at 39.1%).