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Celtics' ball security meets Pistons' turnover defense

Detroit allows the most free throws in the league, but Boston gets to the line less than any team, so the Pistons' flaw may go untested.

Celtics turned it over on 10.5% of plays, the lowest rate in the NBA
Pistons forced turnovers on 14.1% of plays, the highest rate
Celtics' free throw rate was last in the league at 0.207

Published October 20, 2026 at 3:01 AM1 min read How this story was written

Final

Boston Celtics

Detroit Pistons

Box score and plays

Boston (56-26 last season) and Detroit (60-22) meet Tuesday, October 20, at 3:00 PM ET in a game that turns on the Celtics' ball security against the Pistons' turnover-forcing defense.

The Celtics turned the ball over on 10.5% of their possessions last season, first in the league, and scored 118.1 points per 100 possessions, second best. Detroit forced turnovers on 14.1% of possessions, also first, and held opponents to a 51.7 effective field goal percentage, the best mark.

The Pistons' weakness is the foul line: they allowed the league's highest free throw rate, 0.319. Boston's rate was 0.207, lowest of 30 teams, so the Celtics rarely get to the line to exploit it.

Pace adds another layer. Boston played the league's slowest game at 97.1 possessions per 48 minutes, while Detroit ran at 101.4, 16th. The Celtics shoot threes at the fourth-highest rate; the Pistons took the second-fewest.

Cade Cunningham averaged 23.9 points and 9.9 assists last season, along with 3.7 turnovers. Ausar Thompson's 2.0 steals led the Pistons. For Boston, Derrick White averaged 5.4 assists and 1.7 turnovers, and Paul George averaged 17.3 points in 37 games.

Celtics guard Devin Carter is out until Sunday, November 8. Pistons forward Taurean Prince is day-to-day. Both teams ended last season with a loss: Detroit fell 125-94 to Cleveland, and Boston lost 109-100 to Philadelphia.

Sportsbook prices give Boston a 52% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, favors Detroit with a 54% chance.