Celtics squander 22-point lead in second half, lose season opener to Pistons in Detroit

They open against a Pistons squad that won 60 games last season and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the East before losing to the Cavaliers in seven games in the conference semifinals. Start time is 3 p.m., with the matchup serving as the beginning of an opening day tripleheader on NBC. Here is a preview. When: Tuesday, 3 p.m. Where: Little Caesars Arena, DetroitTV: NBC, Peacock. Radio: WBZ-FM 98.5. Line: Boston -1.5. O/U: 220.5. CELTICSSeason record: 0-0. vs. spread: 0-0. Over/under: 0-0Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly. Enter EmailLast 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 4-6PISTONSSeason record: 0-0. vs. spread: 0-0. Over/under: 0-0Last 10 games: 6-4. vs. spread: 5-5.

DETROIT — The one coherent theme emanating from Celtics training camp and the post-Jaylen Brown era is that the franchise feels comfortable and confident in the team it will field this season. With Brown on to Philadelphia, replaced by 36-year-old Paul George, and Jayson Tatum healthy and ready to reassume his status as a top-five NBA player, the Celtics enter the season as an overshadowed entity — a team that has the potential to emerge among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference but carries a plethora of unknowns and question marks that will take time to resolve. Tuesday’s afternoon opener at Detroit will be the first opportunity for the Celtics to unleash a roster brimming with potential, depth, and the ability to defend tenaciously. The East is difficult and balanced. With the new antitanking rules implemented to prevent teams from purposely losing to gain a premium draft pick, there will be no easy trips to Brooklyn, Washington, or Indiana. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly.

Adam HimmelsbachCeltics: 55-27, first in the East. Eastern Conference: Knicks over Celtics in seven. It might be a mistake to pick against the 76ers, but there are just too many players I don’t trust. The Celtics remain an elite regular-season team, but when rotations condense and stars shine in the playoffs, New York’s edge in firepower — led by the fearless Jalen Brunson — wins out. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly. Enter EmailWestern Conference: Thunder over Spurs in seven. Victor Wembanyama will soon capture his first title, just not yet. Last season, the Spurs barely escaped against the Thunder despite injuries to OKC standouts Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. A full season of Jared McCain will help, too. NBA Finals: Thunder over Knicks in six. With all the focus on Wembanyama and Brunson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quietly wins his third consecutive MVP award and Oklahoma City captures its second title in three years behind a historically dominant defense. Gary WashburnCeltics: 49-33, fourth in the East. Eastern Conference: Raptors over Celtics in seven.

Celtics guard Payton Pritchard sometimes reflects on the winter of 2023, after his playing time dipped, his frustrations mushroomed, and his request to be traded was submitted. “It was probably a little delusional confidence that I have, but it’s from my work, the hours I put in, I believed I could help this team win and at a high level,” Pritchard said Sunday. “Now, many people didn’t believe it at the time or thought I was crazy, but I truly believed that. Obviously, things opened up for me, it worked out and I took advantage of it, and hopefully I continue to take advantage of it.”Pritchard stayed in Boston, helped the Celtics win the 2024 NBA title, was named Sixth Man of the Year in 2025, and this weekend officially signed a two-year, $44.2 million extension that will begin during the 2028-29 season. Everything has worked out for the 6-foot-1 guard. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly.

Gary: I think the Celtics can be as good or better than last season, but they definitely lost a security blanket and a player guaranteed to get buckets and attack the rim. They’re going to need productive seasons from Mitchell Robinson and Paul George, both of whom have had injury and durability issues in past years. Get Court SenseKeep up with everything Celtics with news, commentary, and analysis from the Globe's all-star team. Arrives twice weekly. Enter EmailBut the real key is Derrick White having an offensive bounce-back season, and the group of Payton Pritchard, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Sam Hauser taking steps forward. The defense should improve with the presence of Robinson and Neemias Queta, and they can compete with teams like the Knicks and 76ers if several players perform better than last season. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla is going to need big scoring years from guards Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to make up for the loss of Jaylen Brown. Barry Chin/Globe StaffAdam: The additions are nice, and the departures are notable, but in the end the Celtics will go as far as Jayson Tatum will take them.

Yegor Sharangovich, Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, Maxim Tsyplakov, Aydar Suniev and Cole Reschny are all with the Flames thanks to three major trades with the Devils.