Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics Betting Pick & Prediction 12/12/24

In a matchup of Eastern Conference teams, the Pistons (10-15) travel to take on the Celtics (19-5) at TD Garden in Boston. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 ET.

According to oddsmakers, the Celtics (-844) are 12.5-point favorites over the Pistons (+573) and the over/under line for this game is 227.5 points. NBCS will televise this game.

DETROIT PISTONS VS BOSTON CELTICS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Boston Celtics -12.5

This game will be played at TD Garden at 7:30 ET on Thursday, December 12th.

WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 143-128 in favor of the Celtics.
• Our projections have Jayson Tatum finishing with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
• From the field, we have the Celtics finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.1% and knocking down 20 threes.

Can Detroit Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?

The Pistons improved to 10-15 on the season with a 120-111 road win over the Knicks on Saturday. Detroit, who entered the game as +8.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 231, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 225.

Detroit’s 10-0 run early in the game set the tone, as they jumped out to a 12-5 lead. They dominated the 1st quarter, outscoring New York 39-23. Though the Knicks fought back in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, the Pistons entered the 4th with an 89-85 lead and finished strong, outscoring New York 31-26 in the final period.

The Pistons shot 51.8% from the field and knocked down 18 threes at a 50% clip in their win over the Knicks. Cade Cunningham led the way with a triple-double, posting 29 points, 15 assists, and 10 rebounds, hitting 5 threes at 62.5%.

Malik Beasley added 23 points, connecting on 7 threes at 70%. He scored 12 points in the 1st quarter, while Cunningham poured in 16 in the 2nd. Jaden Ivey and Beasley both contributed 7 points in the 4th.

Despite giving up 111 points on 53% shooting, the Pistons managed to secure a win over the Knicks. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 35 points, but they tightened up in the 4th, giving up just 26 points to help seal the victory.

Detroit did a solid job defending the three, holding New York to 32% shooting from deep with 11 made threes. The Pistons also limited the Knicks’ trips to the free-throw line, where they went 16/27. On the boards, Detroit gave up just 4 offensive rebounds and recorded 7 steals.

Will the Boston Defense Show Up at Home?

The Celtics fell to 19-5 on the season after a 127-121 home loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday. Boston, favored by 7.5 points, failed to cover the spread. The total points of 248 exceeded the O/U line of 237.5.

Memphis went on a 10-0 run early, taking control from 11-8 to 18-11. Boston struggled in the 2nd quarter, being outscored 35-27, but fought back in the 3rd, winning it 35-28. They entered the 4th down 94-89 but couldn’t complete the comeback, as the Grizzlies edged them 33-32 in the final quarter.

In their 127-121 loss to the Grizzlies, the Celtics shot just 40% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc, though they did hit 18 threes. Jrue Holiday led Boston with 23 points, despite shooting 23.5% from three and 30.8% overall.

Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard each added 22 points, with Brown shooting 71.4% and Pritchard hitting 6 threes at a 54.5% clip. Brown scored 14 points in the 4th quarter, while Pritchard added 9 in the final period.

The Celtics struggled defensively against the Grizzlies, giving up 127 points while allowing Memphis to shoot 50% from the field. Boston allowed 31 points in the 1st quarter and 35 in the 2nd, but they tightened up a bit in the 3rd, giving up 28 points before allowing 33 in the 4th.

From beyond the arc, the Grizzlies hit 15 threes at a 45% clip. The Celtics sent Memphis to the line 23 times, where they made 18 free throws. Boston finished with 36 defensive rebounds, allowing 11 offensive boards, and recorded 6 steals and 7 blocks.