Detroit Pistons vs. Boston Celtics - 12/20/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Detroit Pistons vs Boston Celtics

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019

Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA

TV: NBC Sports Boston

Odds/Point Spread: Boston -7.5

Total/Over-Under: 215

Andre Drummond and the Detroit Pistons (11-16, 3rd in the Central Division) head to TD Garden on Friday where they'll meet the Boston Celtics (17-7, 2nd in the Atlantic Division). Boston opens this contest as 7.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 215.

The Pistons cover 42.3% of the time, having gone 11-15-1 ATS. Boston is covering 63.6% of the time, going 14-8-2 against the spread.

Key Detroit Pistons Injuries

12/18/2019 Christian Wood PF Knee Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/4/2019 Reggie Jackson PG Back Expected to be out until at least Dec 23
11/13/2019 Khyri Thomas SG Foot Expected to be out until at least Jan 1

Key Boston Celtics Injuries

12/18/2019 Gordon Hayward SF Foot Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/18/2019 Vincent Poirier C Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 20
12/17/2019 Marcus Smart PG Eye Expected to be out until at least Dec 20
12/16/2019 Robert Williams C Hip Expected to be out until at least Jan 6

Player Spotlight

Luke Kennard averages 15.8 points per game in 33.0 minutes per contest. He averages 4.1 assists per contest and 3.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%. Andre Drummond comes into this contest averaging 17.8 points per game while playing 33.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 16.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 55% while his free throw percentage is at 63%.

Player Spotlight

Jaylen Brown averages 19.6 points per game and he sees the court an average of 33.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.0 rebounds per contest and 2.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 76%. Jayson Tatum averages 20.8 points per game while playing 34.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 7.0 rebounds per game and has 2.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pistons allow 109.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 16th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 22nd and 18th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.8 rebounds a game which ranks 4th, and they give up 25.0 assists per contest which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 7th in the league. Detroit averages 108.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -0.8 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 6th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 4th in the league. They average 43.2 rebounds per game and 24.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 25th and 12th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Celtics surrender 104.0 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 4th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest, and 18th with 45.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Celtics are 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per game. Boston is 15th in the league with 110.8 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 6.7. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 16th in the NBA. They are 15th in the league in rebounding with 45.5 boards per game and 20th in assists per contest with 23.0. The Celtics are 28th in turnovers per game with 13.3.

Advanced Statistics

The Pistons are 11th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 19th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 99.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 15th in the league. Detroit is 5th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Boston is 26th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 23rd in the league. The Celtics are 6th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, and their defensive rating of 104.7 is ranked 8th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 99 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 14th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Pistons/Celtics NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Detroit +7.5

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here