The Boston Celtics (2-0) take on the Detroit Pistons (0-2) Saturday at Little Caesars Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Celtics vs. Pistons odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting; Celtics won 3-0 last season

The Celtics have not been tested in the early going, smoking the New York Knicks 132-109 and euthanizing the Washington Wizards 122-102. They covered as 6- and 14-point faves. F Jayson Tatum averaged 31 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 8 APG in the first couple games.

The Pistons dropped both games and just missed covering in them. They fell 115-109 to the Indiana Pacers as 5.5-point dogs and 113-101 as 10.5-point dogs to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Six players were in double figures against Indy, and 4 did such against Cleveland. However, G Cade Cunningham is stating his claim as top dog. He’s averaging 30.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 7 APG thus far.

Celtics at Pistons odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 1:36 p.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Celtics – 1100 (bet $1,100 to win $100) | Pistons +650 (bet $100 to win $650)
• Against the spread (ATS): Celtics -14.5 (-105) | Pistons +14.5 (-115)
• Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Celtics at Pistons key injuries

Celtics

• F Sam Hauser (back) out
• C Kristaps Porzingis (foot) out

Pistons

• F Ausar Thompson (conditioning) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Celtics at Pistons picks and predictions

Prediction

Celtics 118, Pistons 112

Moneyline

I am really, really tempted to take a shot on the Pistons here. Here’s why. They set a record for 27 straight losses last year and are already off to a bad start on their record. But as I mentioned above, they are spreading the ball around while Cunningham is coming of age as a potential superstar.

They also nearly defeated the mighty Celtics in their first meeting last year, but Boston prevailed 128-122 in overtime. Cunningham had 31 in that one, and I’m taking CADE CUNNINGHAM OVER 23.5 POINTS (-110).

Against the spread

I don’t have the cojones to take the Pistons straight up, but I am taking the PISTONS -14.5 (-115) for each reason mentioned above.

Over/Under

The Over is 1-1 for Boston and 0-2 for Detroit thus far. The Over cashed twice in 3 meetings last year. This is a very hittable Over, but it’s contingent on my feeling that Detroit makes it a game. It’ll need to match its season high at 109 to do it, but go OVER 225.5 (-110).

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