Pistons vs. Celtics preview: While Pistons roll, Celtics are still figuring things out

The Celtics season is off to something of a fascinating start.

One wouldn’t typically think that getting Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back from injury would lead to Boston jumping to the top defense in the league and the second worst offense.

Irving and Hayward haven’t been very good. 20 year old Jayson Tatum has led the way. Aron Baynes is taking three three pointers per game. After just being signed to a $50 million contract, Marcus Smart is averaging five points per game - and maybe that’s a good thing?

What a weird team.

It’s also kind of a weird change to wonder how an opposing team is going to be able to check the Pistons. The Celtics don’t play a true power forward, with Hayward, Tatum, and Marcus Morris splitting most of the minutes at the big forward spot. But Blake Griffin would do horrible, horrible things to that trio.

And Casey’s fondness for going smaller in the backcourt could be uncomfortable for the Celtics too. The Celtics’ bigger wings could have trouble chasing around Reggie Jackson and Langston Galloway.

It’ll be the stiffest competition of the season for the Pistons so far this season, and the two teams will run it back on Tuesday. It’s a nice opportunity to see just how good this undefeated team is.

You surely saw that they’ll be without second year guard Luke Kennard thanks to a shoulder injury, but don’t forget that both Ish Smith and Andre Drummond rolled ankles on Thursday against the Cavs. While Dre seemed to finish the game without any lingering effects, Ish’s may have been a bit more severe. Both worth watching tonight.

Game Vitals

When: Saturday, October 27 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Watch: Fox Sports Detroit, League Pass

Projected Lineups

Pistons (4-0)
Reggie Jackson, Reggie Bullock, Stanley Johnson, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond

Celtics (3-2)
Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Al Horford

Prediction

104-100 Pistons

Community Question

Do the Pistons go 82-0, yes or no?