While NCAA basketball odds and NHL Trade Deadline Day are the key topic of the moment, it is also a big week in the NBA. The NBA playoff race if heating up with every game counting for critical points in the standings. Tuesday night features several top match ups across the National Basketball Association. Here is a game preview for the Boston Celtics versus the Detroit Pistons. 

Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons

Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 7:30PM (ET) 

Two Eastern Conference rivals meet Tuesday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit. Once two of the top teams in the NBA, the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons are now fighting just to stay alive in the Eastern Conference. While the Detroit Pistons might be out of the playoff race, they are still a dangerous team and can play the role of spoiler heading down the stretch for teams like Boston. Regardless of the standings, it is always an exciting game when these two franchises meet. Both teams are riding losing streaks entering Tuesday’s game, so anything is possible.

What the Detroit Pistons need to do to win

Sportsbook Odds

• Get balanced scoring from their starters: This might seem like an obvious point, but many of the Detroit Pistons top players are underperforming this season. A mix of injuries and bad breaks has hindered the Detroit offence all season, but with the majority of their roster healthy, there are no more excuses for this underachieving team. With the exception of Richard Hamilton, many of the Pistons starting five need to score more. Ben Wallace is averaging only 5.3  points per game and Tayshaun Prince is averaging only 11.6 points per game. To out power the Boston Celtics, the starting five for Detroit will have to put up bigger numbers. If Ben Wallace can turn a few of his 9 rebound per game into points, the Pistons will definitely have a chance to win this game.

Slow down the Boston Celtics early push: The Boston Celtics seem to feed off playing on the road. The Celtics are an amazing 20-10 on the road this season which can’t be overlooked. Detroit will need to play solid defence during the first quarter to slow down the confidence of the Boston Celtics. The Celtics, who are averaging almost 100 points per game and sit atop the Atlantic Division. Against conference rivals, the Celtics are also well above .500, while the struggling Pistons sit at 14-19. For the Detroit Pistons to experience success in this game, they need to get out to a strong start to quiet the road giant Celtics.

What the Boston Celtics need to do to win

NBA Betting Odds

Give support to Paul Pierce (if he plays): The presence or absence of Celtics star Paul Pierce from their lineup could alter the outcome of this game. Pierce who is day-to-day, may or may not be in the Celtics lineup against the Pistons. If he is, the Pistons will be focusing in on Pierce and attempt to get him off his game early. The Celtics must support their injured small forward if he's in the lineup. Pierce is averaging almost 18 points per game for the Boston Celtics and has been a key to their success when healthy.