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The NBA is back at 3 in the afternoon, and I’m starting the season in the Motor City. Detroit won 60 games last year and beat Boston three times in four regular-season tries. Now the Celtics show up with a reshuffled roster and they’re favored in Detroit? Give me Cade and the Pistons with the points.
The Matchup
- Detroit owned this matchup. The Pistons won 119-113 and 104-103 at home and 112-105 in Boston last season. Boston’s only win was 117-114 in late November.
- Boston looks different. Jaylen Brown is in Philadelphia now, and Paul George, Mike Conley and Mitchell Robinson are in green. Jayson Tatum played 16 games last year after his Achilles injury, averaging 21.8 points and 10 rebounds.
- Cade runs the show. Cade Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists last season, and Jalen Duren added 19.5 points and 10.5 boards. Detroit outscored opponents by 8.2 points a game, and Boston by 7.7.
- Tip-off. 3:00 PM ET at Little Caesars Arena, on NBC.
Injuries
Detroit has nobody on the injury report. Boston’s Devin Carter (illness) sat out a preseason game this week. Check the final report before tip.
The Number
Last year’s numbers had these two about even on a neutral floor, and home court tips it to Detroit. The board has moved to Boston by a point and a half, so we get points with the team our numbers like. I’ll take the team that kept its core together over the one still learning each other’s names.
The honest case against: Boston still has Tatum, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard, and opening night is one game with new pieces on both sides. It’s a Game Pick, a lean, and like every pick we post, it lands on the receipts page win or lose. Our first NBA season, so these are leans while we build the record.
Bottom Line
Take the Pistons plus one and a half at . Lean. Home floor, a 3-1 regular season in this matchup and a roster that hasn’t changed much. Pistons.
Lines as posted Monday at 12:30 PM ET; we recheck prices and the injury report Tuesday morning. Confirm them before tip.
Same-Game Parlay
One read in three legs. If Detroit wins at home, Cade Cunningham is running the offense and Jalen Duren is finishing around the rim. Cade had 10 and 14 assists in two of the four games against Boston last year. Every leg needs the same game, so this is one position, not three bets.
The angleCade runs the show, Duren eats inside and Detroit holds serve.
Build it at FanDuel →FanDuel prices same-game parlays in its own builder, so there is no price here. Build the legs there and check the number before you place it.
Price: check your sportsbook for SGP pricing. Lines as posted Monday at 12:30 PM ET; confirm them before you build the ticket. This parlay is a Game Pick. Player props not available in all states.
Best Props for This Game
Bets beyond the spread, from either side. It’s opening night, so the trends come from last season’s games. These are Game Pick props, separate bets from our pick, so keep them small. We’ll recheck every player against Tuesday’s injury report before tip.
He averaged 9.9 assists last season, and he’s the whole Detroit offense.
- TrendCleared 8.5 in 44 of 64 games last season, 7 of his last 10
- Matchup8, 5, 10 and 14 assists against Boston last season
He averaged 19.5 a game and finished last season hot.
- TrendCleared 17.5 in 44 of 70 games, 8 of his last 10
- Matchup24, 12, 6 and 18 points against Boston last season
Boston’s guards crash the glass, and White always found boards against Detroit.
- TrendCleared 3.5 in 53 of 77 games last season
- Matchup4, 7, 6 and 9 rebounds in four games against Detroit last season
Detroit’s shooter was on fire to close last season.
- TrendCleared 10.5 in 48 of 77 games, 8 of his last 10
- Matchup15 points in the last meeting with Boston
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