NBA: Celtics vs. Pistons Opening Night Preview, Odds, Picks (Oct 20)
- Celtics vs. Pistons odds favor Detroit by 1.5 points.
- Boston won all of its 4 preseason games.
- Pistons had a busy offseason.
The NBA season officially starts this Tuesday afternoon with a game in Michigan where the Detroit Pistons host the Boston Celtics.
Here are more NBA expert picks, with the latest odds and more info.
How to Watch
- When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 3:00 PM ET
- Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
- How to Watch: NBC Sports Boston, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, NBA League Pass
Celtics vs. Pistons Odds
Game Preview
The Celtics come into this campaign with a new look. Paul George is here, and Jaylen Brown is out, which means Jayson Tatum has a new partner. Also, athletic rim protector Mitchell Robinson is in Boston, alongside veteran backup Mike Conley.
Based on the preseason results, the Cs made the transition smoothly, posting four victories during the warm-up period. Just to mention, they beat the Philadelphia 76ers twice, most recently in the last game, 125-120 OT. They played without any starters or notable names on the roster in that matchup.
As for the Pistons, they went 3-1 during the preseason. The team has plenty of newcomers, most notably John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince. We also want to see the 17th overall pick, Ebuka Okorie, and his development, as he could have a solid role this year.
The team’s leading duo is still Cunningham-Duren, who played well in the preseason. With Cade as the tip of the spear and the main playmaker, this team has massive potential and is one of the top favorites to win the NBA title.
Celtics vs. Pistons Predictions
This will be the opening night of the season, featuring two offensively very potent teams. Defenses won’t be at their best right away, so we expect this matchup to end with Over 222.5 points.
- Free NBA picks for tonight: Over 222.5 points
