The Celtics are comfortably favoured for the back end of their two-game series with the Pistons – though they’re still reeling from that humbling three-point defeat in their previous meeting.
The Boston Celtics’ disjointed offence has the defending Eastern Conference finalists off to a slow start – but they find themselves in a potential get-right spot Sunday afternoon in a rematch with the Detroit Pistons. The Celtics are a .500 team through the first six games of the 2020-21 campaign, and are coming off a 96-93 loss to these same Pistons in Detroit on New Year’s Day after struggling once again from the free-throw line.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Celtics are comfortably favoured for the back end of their two-game Motor City series with the Pistons – though they’re still reeling from that humbling three-point defeat as an 8 ½-point favourite in their previous meeting. Boston is just 2-4 ATS in the past six meetings between the teams, and has averaged just 98 points in its last two games vs. Detroit. The victory Friday was the Pistons’ first in their previous eight games at Little Caesars Arena.
The total for Sunday’s rematch is set in the 220-point area, which is a significant jump from the 189 total points these teams combined to score the first time around. That result extended a trend that has seen these teams convert the Under in seven of their previous eight meetings in Detroit. But the Celtics are trending in the opposite direction overall, surpassing the total in seven of their last 10 dating back to last season’s Eastern Conference playoff run.
Boston Celtics
Foul shooting has been a major problem for Boston in the early going – and those struggles directly cost them a win in the first matchup with Detroit. Not only did the Celtics only go to the line 14 times in defeat, they made just seven free throws. That has been a theme for Boston through six games: it has attempted the fifth-fewest foul shots in the NBA (19.8 per game) while converting at a mediocre 71.4 percent rate, fifth-worst in the league.
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons were fortunate to pull out their first win of the season last time out, prevailing despite shooting below 41 percent from the floor. They took advantage of their 13 offensive rebounds, and have consistently been one of the top glass-cleaning teams in the NBA in the early going (ranked fifth at 48.4 boards per game). Unfortunately, they’ll likely be without power forward Blake Griffin, who is dealing with a concussion.
Who Will Win Celtics vs. Pistons?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 3 Jan 3:26pm | BOS | -8 -110 | O +213.5 -110 |
| Closing 3 Jan 6:56pm | BOS | -8 -110 | O +213.5 -111 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
22.31 |
| Assists |
5.53 |
| Rebounds |
9.27 |
| FG% |
68 |
| Steals |
1.16 |
| Blocks |
1.26 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pistons Team Leaders
| Points |
26.44 |
| Assists |
5.69 |
| Rebounds |
8.13 |
| FG% |
72.4 |
| Steals |
1.5 |
| Blocks |
1.75 |
| Points |
22.31 |
| Assists |
5.53 |
| Rebounds |
9.27 |
| FG% |
68 |
| Steals |
1.16 |
| Blocks |
1.26 |
| Points |
30.6 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
9.8 |
| FG% |
100 |
| Steals |
1.2 |
| Blocks |
3 |
| Points | |
| Assists | |
| Rebounds | Did not qualify |
| FG% | |
| Steals | |
| Blocks |
Injuries
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Robert Williams III (C)
Robert Williams III (C)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Kemba Walker (PG)
Tristan Thompson (C)
Evan Fournier (SG)
Deividas Sirvydis (SF)
Sekou Doumbouya (PF)
Isaiah Stewart (PF)
Mason Plumlee (PF)
Frank Jackson (PG)
Jerami Grant (SF)
Mason Plumlee (PF)
Wayne Ellington (SG)
Cory Joseph (PG)
Wayne Ellington (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Tues | Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Out Tues | Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Prob Fri | Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 | 1-2 | 3-0 | + - |
|
Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Tues | Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 | 1-3 | 3-1 | + - |
|
Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe. |
|||||
| Robert Williams III (C) | Prob Sat | Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 | 3-3 | 3-3 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards. |
|||||
| Kemba Walker (PG) | Out Sat | Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Tristan Thompson (C) | Prob Tues | Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In. |
|||||
| Evan Fournier (SG) | Prob Sat | Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 | 3-4 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday. |
|||||
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deividas Sirvydis (SF) | Doub Sun | Leg - 15 / 05 / 21 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
|
Sirvydis was forced from the previous game with a left leg injury, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday's showdown with the Heat. |
|||||
| Sekou Doumbouya (PF) | Out Sun | Personal - 14 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Doumbouya missed the last game while tending to a personal matter, and he will not lace up against the Heat on Sunday. |
|||||
| Isaiah Stewart (PF) | Out Sun | Personal - 13 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Stewart was held out of the previous game while tending to a personal matter, and he will not be active against the Heat on Sunday. |
|||||
| Mason Plumlee (PF) | Out Fri | Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 | 0-2 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Plumlee will not suit up against the Nuggets on Friday as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Frank Jackson (PG) | Doub Sun | Ankle - 10 / 05 / 21 | 0-3 | 0-3 | + - |
|
Jackson has missed the last two contests with a right ankle injury, and it unlikely that he will take the court to battle the Heat on Sunday. |
|||||
| Jerami Grant (SF) | Out Sun | Knee - 09 / 05 / 21 | 0-4 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Grant has missed the previous three games due to a sore right knee, and he will not dress for Sunday's contest against the Heat. |
|||||
| Mason Plumlee (PF) | Out Sun | Rest - 09 / 05 / 21 | 0-4 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Plumlee will not be in the lineup on Sunday against the Bulls, as he will be given a day of rest. |
|||||
| Wayne Ellington (SG) | Out Sun | Calf - 09 / 05 / 21 | 0-4 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Ellington has sat out the last three contests with calf soreness, and he will not lace up for Sunday's matchup against the Heat. |
|||||
| Cory Joseph (PG) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21 | 0-4 | 1-3 | + - |
|
Joseph has been absent from the last three contests due to an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active for Sunday's game against the Heat. |
|||||
| Wayne Ellington (SG) | Ques Sat | Calf - 07 / 05 / 21 | 1-4 | 1-4 | + - |
|
Ellington is dealing with a calf injury, and it is unknown if he will face the 76ers on Saturday. |
|||||
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 3 Jan 3:26pm BOS -8 -110 O +213.5 -110 Closing 3 Jan 6:56pm BOS -8 -110 O +213.5 -111 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Celtics Team Leaders
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 22.31
Assists 5.53
Rebounds 9.27
FG% 68
Steals 1.16
Blocks 1.26
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Pistons Team Leaders
Points 26.44
Assists 5.69
Rebounds 8.13
FG% 72.4
Steals 1.5
Blocks 1.75
Points 22.31
Assists 5.53
Rebounds 9.27
FG% 68
Steals 1.16
Blocks 1.26
Points 30.6
Assists 6
Rebounds 9.8
FG% 100
Steals 1.2
Blocks 3
Points Assists Rebounds Did not qualify FG% Steals Blocks -
Injuries
Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21Robert Williams III (C)
Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21Kemba Walker (PG)
Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21Tristan Thompson (C)
Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21Evan Fournier (SG)
Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21Deividas Sirvydis (SF)
Doub Sun Leg - 15 / 05 / 21Sekou Doumbouya (PF)
Out Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21Isaiah Stewart (PF)
Out Sun Personal - 13 / 05 / 21Mason Plumlee (PF)
Out Fri Rest - 13 / 05 / 21Frank Jackson (PG)
Doub Sun Ankle - 10 / 05 / 21Jerami Grant (SF)
Out Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 21Mason Plumlee (PF)
Out Sun Rest - 09 / 05 / 21Wayne Ellington (SG)
Out Sun Calf - 09 / 05 / 21Cory Joseph (PG)
Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21Wayne Ellington (SG)
Ques Sat Calf - 07 / 05 / 21Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kemba Walker (PG) Out Tues Knee - 29 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is bothered by left knee soreness, and he will not dress for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round versus the Nets.
Robert Williams III (C) Out Tues Ankle - 28 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Williams III is nursing a left ankle sprain, and he will not take on the Nets in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Prob Fri Knee - 27 / 05 / 21 1-2 3-0 + - Walker is managing a left knee medial bone contusion, but it is likely that he will take the court to face the Nets in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Tues Toe - 24 / 05 / 21 1-3 3-1 + - Williams III is expected to dress for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round despite left foot turf toe.
Robert Williams III (C) Prob Sat Toe - 19 / 05 / 21 2-3 3-2 + - Williams is bothered by left foot turf toe, but it is projected that he will be available versus the Nets in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Kemba Walker (PG) Ques Tues Neck - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Walker is nursing left cervical nerve irritation, and it is up in the air if he will take the court for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In against the Wizards.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 16 / 05 / 21 3-3 3-3 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In versus the Wizards.
Kemba Walker (PG) Out Sat Rest - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Walker will not take on the Timberwolves on Saturday as he will be given a day of rest.
Tristan Thompson (C) Prob Tues Pectoral - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Thompson is tending to a left pectoral strain, but it is projected that he will dress versus the Wizards for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Play-In.
Evan Fournier (SG) Prob Sat Knee - 14 / 05 / 21 3-4 3-4 + - Fournier is bothered by a right knee hyper flexion, but he is expected to face the Timberwolves on Saturday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Deividas Sirvydis (SF) Doub Sun Leg - 15 / 05 / 21 0-1 0-1 + - Sirvydis was forced from the previous game with a left leg injury, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday's showdown with the Heat.
Sekou Doumbouya (PF) Out Sun Personal - 14 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Doumbouya missed the last game while tending to a personal matter, and he will not lace up against the Heat on Sunday.
Isaiah Stewart (PF) Out Sun Personal - 13 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Stewart was held out of the previous game while tending to a personal matter, and he will not be active against the Heat on Sunday.
Mason Plumlee (PF) Out Fri Rest - 13 / 05 / 21 0-2 0-2 + - Plumlee will not suit up against the Nuggets on Friday as he will be given a day of rest.
Frank Jackson (PG) Doub Sun Ankle - 10 / 05 / 21 0-3 0-3 + - Jackson has missed the last two contests with a right ankle injury, and it unlikely that he will take the court to battle the Heat on Sunday.
Jerami Grant (SF) Out Sun Knee - 09 / 05 / 21 0-4 1-3 + - Grant has missed the previous three games due to a sore right knee, and he will not dress for Sunday's contest against the Heat.
Mason Plumlee (PF) Out Sun Rest - 09 / 05 / 21 0-4 1-3 + - Plumlee will not be in the lineup on Sunday against the Bulls, as he will be given a day of rest.
Wayne Ellington (SG) Out Sun Calf - 09 / 05 / 21 0-4 1-3 + - Ellington has sat out the last three contests with calf soreness, and he will not lace up for Sunday's matchup against the Heat.
Cory Joseph (PG) Ques Sun Ankle - 09 / 05 / 21 0-4 1-3 + - Joseph has been absent from the last three contests due to an ankle injury, and it is up in the air if he will be active for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Wayne Ellington (SG) Ques Sat Calf - 07 / 05 / 21 1-4 1-4 + - Ellington is dealing with a calf injury, and it is unknown if he will face the 76ers on Saturday.