Celtics vs. Pistons prediction, odds, line, spread: 2022 NBA picks, Feb. 26 best bets from model on 69-41 run

The Detroit Pistons will try to build their longest winning streak in almost three years when they host the red-hot Boston Celtics in a Saturday matinee at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The Pistons (14-45) have won back-to-back games over Boston and Cleveland. A victory on Saturday would give Detroit its first three-game winning streak since the team won five straight games in early March 2019. Meanwhile the Celtics (35-26) have won 10 of their last 11 games. They sit in the sixth spot in the tight Eastern Conference where just 3½ games separate the No. 3 and No. 7 seeds. 

Tipoff is at noon ET. Caesars Sportsbook lists Boston as an 11.5-point favorite in the latest Celtics vs. Pistons odds, up a point from the opening line. The over-under is 216, also up one point. Before locking in any Pistons vs. Celtics picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model. 

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters Week 18 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 69-41 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,300. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Celtics vs. Pistons, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Pistons vs. Celtics:

• Celtics vs. Pistons spread: Boston -11.5
• Celtics vs. Pistons over-under: 216 points
• Celtics vs. Pistons money line: Boston -700, Detroit +475
• BOS: The Celtics allow just 104.8 points per 100 possessions, which ranks second in the league.
• DET: Cade Cunningham leads team in scoring (15.8 points per game).

Why the Celtics can cover

Boston has played tremendous defense over its last 25 games. Since the calendar turned to 2022, the Celtics have allowed 100.9 points per 100 possessions, which leads the NBA over that time. That’s a significant improvement over the season’s first 36 games in which they allowed 107.5 points per 100 possessions. Behind that defense, Boston is 18-7 in its last 25 games.

In addition, Jayson Tatum is having another all-around excellent season. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 25.8 points per game, which ranks ninth in the league. He also adds 8.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.

Why the Pistons can cover

Detroit enters the game knowing it knocked off these same Celtics just last week. On Feb. 16 Jerami Grant scored a game-high 24 points and hit the game-winning bucket in a 112-111 victory that ended Boston’s nine-game winning streak. Cunningham added 20 points and a key block in the final minute, and the Pistons shot 53.3 percent (16-of-30) on 3-pointers in the game.

In addition, Detroit faces a team that has struggled shooting the ball from distance all season. The Celtics shoot just 34.5 percent on 3-pointers, which ranks 20th in the NBA.

How to make Pistons vs. Celtics picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, projecting 215 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Celtics vs. Pistons? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on Saturday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.