NBA Odds: Celtics Small Favorites Over Pistons In Return From Break

The Boston Celtics will be looking to put the brakes on a three-game straight-up losing streak Friday when they return to action following last weekend’s NBA All-Star break to take on the Detroit Pistons as small 1-point favorites on the NBA odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

A nine-day break couldn’t have come at a better time for Boston, which has lost outright in three of its past four contests going into Friday night’s Celtics vs. Pistons betting matchup at Little Caesar’s Arena.

The Celtics were outclassed in three straight losses at TD Garden prior to their layoff, capped by a 129-119 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Clippers as 5-point favorites in their last outing Feb. 14.

Boston’s current slide extends a recent shaky stretch that has bumped the squad from its perch atop the NBA Eastern Conference standings. The Celtics have watched the red-hot Toronto Raptors move past them during a 6-9 SU run, and they now trail Toronto by two games in the race for top spot in the East.

After surrendering 112.4 points per game over their past four games, the Celtics continue to struggle with inconsistency at the sportsbooks, covering just once in their past four outings. Boston, though, has rewarded bettors with against-the-spread wins in five of its past seven road games, according to the OddsShark NBA Database.

The Pistons return from the break with their sights set on returning to the NBA postseason for just the second time in nine years. Detroit bolstered its roster at the NBA trade deadline, acquiring five-time All-Star Blake Griffin from the Clippers, but with just one SU win in four outings, the Pistons remain stalled in ninth place in the East, 1.5 games back of the Miami Heat.

Detroit also has struggled on home hardwood, going 1-2 SU in its past three, and currently is mired in a dismal 2-13 ATS run. The Celtics have dominated in recent visits to the Motor City, going 5-1 SU in their past six.

The Celtics travel to New York on Saturday to battle the Knicks before returning home to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. Boston dominated the Knicks in a 103-73 victory Jan. 31 and is 5-2 SU in seven visits to Madison Square Garden. The Celtics also have owned the Grizzlies, going 4-1 SU and ATS in five meetings, including three straight home victories.