The big picture

Boston Celtics come in 4th on the ladder; Detroit Pistons are 9th. Boston Celtics have the higher position to protect.

Boston Celtics are 7–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 114.8 points for and 105.1 against.

Detroit Pistons are 6–2 in NBA 2026-27, averaging 111.1 points for and 101.8 against.

Form

Boston Celtics have won four of their last five and most recently beat Charlotte Hornets 119–80.

Detroit Pistons have won three of their last five and most recently lost to Philadelphia 76ers 106–112.

Head to head

These sides have met 100 times on our records since 2002: Boston Celtics 54, Detroit Pistons 46.

Last time out (2026-27), Detroit Pistons won 121–113 at Little Caesars Arena.

Detroit Pistons have won the last three against Boston Celtics.

Biggest margin between these two: Detroit Pistons by 52 points in 2002-03 (118–66).

Players to watch

For Boston Celtics, watch Jayson Tatum (27.9 points a game, 50 rebounds in 2026-27) and Paul George (19.6 points a game, 44 rebounds in 2026-27).

For Detroit Pistons, watch Cade Cunningham (24 points a game, 45 rebounds in 2026-27) and Duncan Robinson (19 points a game, 15 rebounds in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Jalen Duren is 9 points short of 4,000 for their career.

At TD Garden

Boston Celtics have won 18 of their last 23 at TD Garden.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder and history, Boston Celtics have the edge.