Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics, Picks and Prediction, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025

The NBA Cup goes Tuesday, but we have a regular-season game here with the Pistons vs. Celtics prediction on Monday night at 7:10pmET. Detroit (20-5) has the best record in the Eastern Conference and second-best in the NBA. They face a Boston team (15-10) off to a very good start, considering they're playing without star wing Jayson Tatum (Achilles). These teams have met twice already, with Detroit winning at home 119-113 as a 2.5-point favorite and the Celtics winning at home on Nov. 26, 117-114 as a 2-point dog. The Celtics are a 2-point favorite with the total being 230.5. Check out more free NBA Picks and bowl games this week, and Winners and Whiners.

Pistons on another roll

Detroit recently had a three-game homestand and went 3-0 with wins over Portland, Milwaukee, and Atlanta (142-115), in their latest win on Friday. In the win over the Hawks, Isaiah Stewart came off the bench to score 17 points as the Pistons got up 69-60 at the half and then 104-79 at the end of three quarters, so they were able to go to their bench early and often.

To have success, you do need some good fortune with injuries and Detroit has just one player on the injured list right now in backup power forward Isaac Jones, who rarely plays. All-Star guard Cade Cunningham leads the Pistons with 26.9 points per game, 9.1 assists, and adds 6.1 rebounds, while shooting 45.4% from the field. Center Jalen Duren adds 186 points and 11.3 rebounds. On DunksandThrees.com, Detroit ranks just 8th overall in Adjusted Net Rating, 10th in Adjusted Offense and 6th in Adjusted Defense.

Boston is still in the mix

You just can't count out the Celtics. It's just 25 games, but Boston is third in the Eastern Conference behind Detroit and the NY Knicks. Boston came into Thursday's game against Milwaukee, having won five straight games and with a four-day rest. However, they fell 116-101 on the road as a 9.5-point favorite with Giannis Antetokounmpo out. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 30 points, while Jordan Walsh added 20 points and eight rebounds.

Boston is also in pretty good shape health-wise, with Tatum as the only key player out. Brown has taken over the team with 29.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Derrick White adds 17.2 points and 5.2 assists. The Celtics are ranked fifth in Adjusted Net Rating, fourth in Adjusted Offense and 17th in Adjusted Defense.

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Pistons vs. Celtics Prediction and Pick

• Detroit +2 (4 units)

Detroit has been the better this season and they haven't played since Thursday, so they have plenty of rest. Not being in the NBA Cup isn't the worst thing in the world for the team since they get more rest, and their ultimate goal is to win the Eastern Conference. Detroit's depth is also very strong and there isn't a big difference between the starters and reserves. Defensively, Detroit is the better team as well, thanks to guards like Ausar Thompson, who will likely see time on Jaylen Brown.

•  Under 230.5 (4 units)

Boston is the slowest team in the NBA in pace of play and Detroit is 12th. Boston should be able to get their pace at home. These teams also haven't played a lot during the last week, so expect a little rust in terms of offense. These teams have gone under in three of the last four meetings.