The East is experiencing a generational change on its throne, and this duel may be called to represent it. The Pistons, current leaders, face the Celtics who ruled the conference for several years but who are going through a somewhat tougher course and who no longer seem up for these fights. Although, looking at their performance in recent weeks, perhaps they are not as far from it as we thought at the beginning of the course.
Date and time of Celtics vs Pistons
Date: December 15, early morning of the 16th according to the European time zone.
Time: These are the start times of the Celtics vs Pistons depending on the time zone.
| Spain (peninsular), France and Italy | 01:00 |
| Dominican Republic, USA (Boston, New York and Miami), Puerto Rico and Venezuela | 20:00 |
| Mexico (central), El Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua | 18:00 |
| Mexico (Pacific) and USA (Los Angeles) | 17:00 |
| Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay | 21:00 |
| Colombia, Ecuador, USA (Chicago and Texas), Peru and Panama | 19:00 |
Site: Little Caesars Arena (Detroit, Michigan)
Celtics vs. Pistons quintets
No news in either team. Both coaches will be able to use the quintets they have been playing with in recent weeks.
| Celtics | Pistons |
| Payton Pritchard | Cade Cunningham |
| Derrick White | Duncan Robinson |
| Jalen Brown | Ausar Thomson |
| Jordan Walsh | Tobias Harris |
| Nehemiah Queta | Jalen Duren |
Celtics vs Pistons: best bet
Difficult match to predict. Boston was playing great basketball before this short break for the NBA Cup, but those good feelings ended during the visit to Milwaukee and Detroit is beginning to regain its momentum. This perhaps makes those from Michigan somewhat favorites.
Breaking news for the Celtics: injuries and form
After leaving many doubts at the beginning of the season, Boston arrived at the short break of the NBA Cup in its best moment of the season. With 10 wins in 12 games, some of them against teams from the upper zone, Mazzulla’s team began to confirm itself as a team to be reckoned with, with young players emerging as important pieces in defense and their ability to score from three once again making them a threat in attack.
Does this mean the Celtics are a threat again? We’ll have to see it. Their last meeting, a visit to the Bucks without Giannis after a few days of rest, was quite disappointing, and brought back the ghosts of the beginning of the year that predicted a year without too many aspirations. But at the end of the day we are talking about a single game. It will be the next matches that will determine whether that good streak was truly representative or not.
Player to watch: Jaylen Brown
The forward has had to inherit the position of undisputed leader of the team in the absence of Jayson Tatum, and he is doing so with great numbers that elevate the attack of those from Massachusetts. And if they want to get their hands on a defense like that of the Pistons, it seems essential that we see its most aggressive version both when it comes to scoring and generating for the rest. Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to keep up with the visitors’ scoring pace.
Breaking news for the Pistons: injuries and form
The small break that seemed to bring them back to earth for a few days is now beginning to be buried. After winning 13 consecutive games, the Pistons experienced a slight skid that led them to lose three of their next five games and lower expectations a little after a few weeks of great dominance, but in recent days everything has returned to normal. Which means that the victories are piling up again in Detroit’s locker.
Specifically, Bickerstaff’s team has won its last three games and continues to mark the distance over the Knicks who emerge as the main candidate to challenge them for first position in the East. Given the level that the New Yorkers are reaching, it will not be easy to stay at the top, but those from Michigan have proven to be capable of looking unbeatable and imposing themselves wherever they go. And today in Boston they have the opportunity to confirm those sensations.
Player to watch: Cade Cunningham
The point guard is facing his absolute consecration as a star in the league, and he is responsible for bringing out the best version of these Pistons. Recovering the overwhelming pace of victories that lifted them to the top of the East is in their hands, although today they will find several specialists ahead of them who will do everything possible to put a stop to their excellent level. Which, given what we have seen, is by no means a guarantee that we will be able to stop it.
Celtics vs Pistons: matchup history
With two precedents already this season, the balance is 1-1 for both teams, giving a more than necessary equality to a face-to-face clearly dominated by the Celtics in recent years. Between 2022 and 2024, those from Massachusetts won 11 games in a row against Detroit, although they have now lost two of the last three.
Predictions for Celtics vs Pistons
More than 25 triples. Boston is one of the teams that scores the most triples per game, and although this is not the Pistons’ main offensive resource, it is true that they are not exactly up to par with a defense specialized in avoiding them.
Duren double-double. The center should clearly impose himself in the paint against a Celtics team that is much less overstretched. Double figures are expected in both points and rebounds.
+25 the Jaylen Brown. The Celtics’ attack will pass through his hands and the forward will surely respond with points. At the very least, he will have no shortage of shots to go over 25 throughout the night.
Where to watch Celtics vs Pistons
The match between Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons can be seen in Spain through the NBA League Pass subscription.
