The Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics appear to be on a collision course as the two clubs that will be facing off in the Eastern Conference Finals this spring. Tonight's contest could determine which squad will have the home court edge for that potential series. The winner of tonight's game will win the season series 2-1 and will own the playoff seeding tie-breaker edge. If Detroit wins, they will be only two games back of the Celtics with a more favorable schedule to conclude the year. Boston still must face the Spurs, Rockets, Mavericks, and Hornets on the road over a six-day stretch beginning on March 17th. However, the Celtics would gain a stranglehold over the Pistons with a win tonight. Boston would have a five-game lead in the loss column with the tie-breaker edge. Detroit has won 15 of their last 18 outings coming into tonight's matchup. However, the team had to push themselves last night to escape with a 100-97 win over visiting Seattle as a 15.5 point favorite. The Pistons familiar group of starters are each capable of stepping up at any time to deliver a big play when the game is on the line. Richard Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace are averaging between 13 and 18 points per game. The most unheralded player in the starting lineup, veteran Antonio McDyess, leads the team with nine rebounds per contest. The starters are supported by a young bench that has energized the overall performance of the Pistons in the 2007-08 campaign. Since dropping their first three games after the all-star break, the Celtics have reeled off five straight wins heading into tonight's game. Boston survived a brief stretch without Kevin Garnett to retain the best overall record in the NBA. The "Big 3" of Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce are each averaging between 19 and 21 points per game. The Celtics are also getting some solid contributions from their non-stars as Boston's depth has been very sound this season. One of Boston's four home defeats this season came against the Pistons back on December 19th. Billups hit two free throws with under a second left in the game to lift the Pistons to an 87-85 win. In the rematch between the two clubs in Detroit on January 5th, the Celtics gained some revenge with a 92-85 victory. Rookie Glen Davis led Boston with 20 points as the Celtics dominated the glass with a 50-36 rebounding edge. Some of the Pistons felt that Boston celebrated a little too much after the contest. It's just another added factor to consider in what is already a highly intriguing matchup. The Celtics are a 4.5 point favorite tonight with a total of 183.5.