For Monday’s nine-game NBA lineup, NBC and Peacock feature a four-contest slate on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. NBC closes its schedule with the Boston Celtics (26-15) visiting the Detroit Pistons (30-10) at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Boston is 7-3 over its last 10 games, while Detroit carries a 6-4 record in that split. Let’s make a Celtics vs. Pistons prediction and picks, featuring player projections for PrizePicks.
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Celtics vs. Pistons Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
In the 2024-25 campaign, the Celtics went 3-1 in head-to-head matchups, but the tables have turned. The Pistons won two of three clashes this season.
Detroit sports a 5-2 against the spread (ATS) record over the previous seven collisions.
The under has been a clear trend for both teams, going 7-3 over the Celtics’ last 10 and 9-1 for the Pistons.
Celtics vs. Pistons Over/Under, Spread
The first three head-to-head meetings of the season featured point spreads within 3 points. Monday has another tight spread, with the Pistons favored by 3.5 points at home.
Boston is a 3.5-point road underdog, returning a 2.22x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks. Detroit is favored at home with a 1.58x payout for an outright victory.
- Spread: Detroit Pistons -3.5
- Over/Under: 224.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Celtics 2.22x | Pistons 1.58x
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
Celtics vs. Pistons Injury Report
Let’s have a look at the Celtics vs. Pistons injury report for Monday, via NBA.com.
Celtics Injury Report
- G Payton Pritchard (ankle) – Questionable
Pistons Injury Report
- F Ron Holland II (illness) – Questionable
Celtics vs. Pistons Prediction on Over/Under
Boston continues to launch 3-balls in bulk, totaling 15.8 makes (second) and 42.7 attempts per game (second), paired with a 46.9% 3-point shot distribution (third), via Dunks & Threes.
Celtics G Payton Pritchard ranks second on the squad with 7.4 attempted treys per contest. If he’s absent, Boston is still loaded with capable shooters — including G Derrick White (9.3 shots per game).
In the most recent matchup on Dec. 15, Boston scored 105 points while converting 10 of 39 3-point shots (25.6%). This could be an anomaly, as the Celtics shoot 36.9% from deep (seventh) and drained 39.8% of their looks over the first two meetings with the Pistons.
Detroit averages 115.0 points per game against Boston in the 2025-26 campaign. It leans on attacking the interior by posting the second-highest shot distribution around the rim and 57.1 points in the paint per game (second).
The Celtics feature a strong interior D, yielding the lowest shot distribution around the rim and 41.0 points in the paint per outing (second).
The Pistons have still found ways to score thanks to an increase in attempts, posting 91.7 shots per game against Boston (89.8 on the year). This is thanks to winning the rebounding battle by an average margin of +10.3. Furthermore, Detroit snags a gaudy 17.3 offensive rebounds per game in head-to-head clashes, smashing its season average of 13.5 (fourth).
Between Boston’s 3-point shooting and Detroit’s extra possessions, tonight’s 224.5 total could be tested. The Celtics (second) and the Pistons (11th) boast impressive offensive ratings, further proving their scoring chops.
Celtics vs. Pistons Picks for PrizePicks Today
For projections on PrizePicks, Celtics G Anfernee Simons could stay hot from 3-point land, and Pistons C Jalen Duren may hold a favorable matchup on the offensive glass.
Celtics G Anfernee Simons vs. Pistons Projection: 2.5 3-PT Made
- Simons has enjoyed increased usage to start the new year, averaging 13.1 shots and 8.0 3-point attempts per game in January. For context, the former Trail Blazer averages 11.3 field goal attempts and 6.6 attempted triples this season.
- He’s turned the opportunity into more points, posting 17.8 PPG this month compared to 14.1 on the season.
- The 6’3” guard has been red-hot from beyond the arc since the turn of the calendar, owning a 51.4% 3-point percentage and 4.1 made treys per game.
- When Pritchard is off the court, Simons’ usage rate rises from 23.7% to 26.6%, via FantasyLabs.
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Pistons C Jalen Duren vs. Celtics Projection: 10.5 Rebounds
- Duren’s 10.8 rebounds per game is tied for fifth across the NBA.
- Over three matchups with the Celtics, the Memphis product has reached at least 18 boards in two games.
- Among qualifying players, Duren leads the Pistons with a 13.6% offensive rebounding rate.
- Boston gives up 11.3 offensive boards per game (11th) and a 26.2% offensive rebounding percentage (16th).
Make Celtics vs. Pistons Picks on PrizePicks
This season’s matchups between the Celtics and Pistons carry an average margin of 5.3 points. Could the under trend for each squad snap on Monday night?
Make your Celtics vs. Pistons picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can also make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
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