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The Detroit Pistons will begin their 2026-27 NBA season on Tuesday afternoon, hosting the Boston Celtics at Little Caesars Arena. The game marks the first opportunity for the Pistons to measure themselves against a playoff-caliber opponent after a 2025-26 campaign in which they captured the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
With aspirations of delivering Detroit its first NBA championship since 2004, the Pistons face a significantly improved Eastern Conference. Replicating last season's success—and making a deep playoff run—will be a formidable challenge, but the team has demonstrated an ability to defy expectations and prove critics wrong. Tuesday's opener against Boston serves as the first test of that resilience.
Early Playoff Test
The Celtics, who will have a fully healthy Jayson Tatum back in the lineup, present an immediate challenge and a potential postseason preview. Last season, Detroit went 3-1 against Boston, with the lone loss coming during NBA Cup group play at TD Garden. Boston finished second in the East with a 56-26 record after Tatum returned late in the year, but their title hopes were dashed in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists both teams among the top championship contenders. The Celtics hold the third-best odds in the Eastern Conference at +1300, while the Pistons are fifth at +2500. Other top contenders include the Oklahoma City Thunder (+250), San Antonio Spurs (+280), New York Knicks (+950), Philadelphia 76ers (+1000), Minnesota Timberwolves (+2200), Toronto Raptors (+2500), Denver Nuggets (+2700), and Cleveland Cavaliers (+2700).
New-Look Celtics Starting Five
Boston's starting lineup will look different this season after Jaylen Brown was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. In the blockbuster deal, the Celtics acquired Paul George, who averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season with the 76ers. Though George is aging, he remains a valuable contributor and will be counted on to help Boston reclaim Eastern Conference supremacy. Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Mitchell Robinson are also expected to round out the Celtics' potential starting five on Tuesday.
Tip-off from Little Caesars Arena is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on NBC. It is the first of a three-game NBA opening day triple-header. The defending champion New York Knicks will host LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden, and the San Antonio Spurs will visit the Oklahoma City Thunder in a rematch of last season's thrilling Western Conference Finals.
Game odds are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.