Houston Rockets (18-18) vs. Boston Celtics (29-8)
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics 1/13/24 – As the Houston Rockets prepare to face off against the Boston Celtics this Saturday, NBA fans are in for a treat. This showdown at TD Garden promises to be a premium game prediction, with the Rockets aiming to break even on their record and the Celtics seeking to extend their dominant lead. With the game scheduled for a 7:00 PM ET start and broadcast on NBCS-BOS, basketball enthusiasts are gearing up for what promises to be an electrifying encounter.
Houston Rockets have demonstrated both resilience and inconsistency this season, recording an 18-18 record while averaging 112.7 points per game on offense with solid shooting from both within the paint (46.3 FG%) and beyond (36.5 3P%). Yet on defense, their opponents often outscored them; yet rebounding (45 per game), playmaking (25.1 assists per game), rebounding (13.8 per game), fouls (21.8 per game), turnovers (12.5 per game) were often taken advantage of and put at their advantage.
At 29-8, the Boston Celtics have proven a formidable opponent. Averaging 121.3 points per game on offense while using efficient shooting (48.1 field goal percentage and 37.7 three point shooting percentage), impressive rebounding (46.6 per game average), and boasting superior defensive ability relative to Rockets (17.6 fouls per game and maintaining strong defense with 6.4 blocks per game.
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics 1/13/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET |
| Where: | TD Garden |
| TV: | NBCS-BOS |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Alperen Sengun (C) vs. Jayson Tatum (SF)
Alperen Sengun has delivered impressive performances for the Houston Rockets this season, averaging 21.6 points and 9 rebounds across 36 games while showing his talent on both offense and defense. Sengun excelled at offensive rebounds (2.6 per game) and playmaking (5 assists per game), contributing greatly to team dynamics; yet his tendency for turning over the ball 2.5 times per game while accruing an average of 3.4 fouls per game may hinder their success significantly.
Jayson Tatum has become a cornerstone of Boston Celtics success, contributing an average of 28 points and 8.5 rebounds per game to create an uninspiring opponent for opponents to face off against. Additionally, as a multifaceted forward he offers 4.5 assists and 1 steal each week; yet similar to Sengun his performance can sometimes be hindered by an excessively high turnover rate.
Sengun and Tatum’s clash on the court promises to be an intriguing display of their contrasting styles and strengths. Sengun’s mastery in the paint and rebounding skills will go up against Tatum’s defensive acumen while Tatum’s scoring versatility may challenge Rockets defense. This matchup could prove pivotal in shaping game dynamics; each player having the capacity to significantly shift momentum for their respective teams.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
Betting odds for this match-up have yet to be set; however, given the Boston Celtics’ superior record and home court advantage, they should likely be considered favorites. Bettors should keep a close watch on spread and moneyline offerings in light of recent Rocket performance and Celtic dominance at home.
Houston Rockets Betting Trends
The Rockets have experienced mixed results when it comes to betting trends. Over their last five games against the spread they have gone 2-3 while away games have fared worse with 6-8. Bettors should note their trend towards high scoring games: 3 out of their last 5 total went over which could help predict total points scored during these contests.
Boston Celtics Betting Trends
The Celtics, while performing well overall, have displayed some weakness against the spread. Overs have occurred in 10 out of 18 home games at TD Garden recently indicating high scoring affairs which may play into betting decisions. This trend aligns well with their high offensive output and could play an integral role when making betting decisions.
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics 1/13/24 Betting Picks
Given their statistics and trends, the Celtics appear as the safer bet, particularly given their home court advantage and offensive firepower. But one should not underrate the Rockets’ ability to keep games close with scoring prowess; over/under wagers and prop bets suggest this game could feature high total scores given both teams’ offensive trends.
Free NBA selections would lean towards the Celtics to win, but potentially not covering a large spread. For the over/under, the game’s tendency towards higher scores makes the ‘over’ a compelling pick.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Celtics 118, Houston Rockets 110.