Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction
| Game Time | 8:00 pm EST |
| Boston Celtics Line | -3 |
| Houston Rockets Line | +3 |
| Total | 221 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
In this high caliber duel between two of the top-3 teams of each conference, the third-best in the West Houston Rockets, are hosting the second-best in the East, Boston Celtics. The Rockets are having one of their best seasons in recent years, and are coming off a win that snapped their previous two-game losing streak. The Celtics are playing their second leg of a back-to-back, after visiting Minnesota yesterday, and have been struggling lately, having just two wins in their last five games played.
Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction
Houston Rockets Injury Report: Tari Eason, Ja’Sean Tate are questionable.
Boston Celtics Injury Report: Jalen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis are questionable.
Houston Rockets Form and Trends
The Rockets have a 22-11 record this season and are sitting on the third place of the West. Houston is 20-13 against the spread and 16-17 in over/under. The Rockets have a 12-5 home record, and are 11-6 against the spread, with a +9.5-point differential. The Rockets are 5-2 in their last 7 games, but 5-7 against the spread in their last 12.
The Rockets are coming off a 110-99 win over Dallas, even though they shot worse than the Mavericks from the field (47% to 53%). Four Houston players had 18+ points, led by Alperen Sengun with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Jalen Green leads the Rockets in scoring with an average of 19.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. Alperen Sengun adds 19.1 points, 5.1 assists and a team-high 10.7 rebounds.
Boston Celtics Form and Trends
The Celtics have a 24-9 record this season and are sitting on the second place of the East. Boston is 13-20 against the spread and 15-17-1 in over/under. The Celtics have a 11-3 road record but are just 6-8 against the spread, with a +11.5-point differential. Boston is 2-3 in their last 5 games, and just 4-8 against the spread in their last 12. Over is 3-1 in their last 4 games.
Boston is coming off a 125-71 win over Toronto, as they held the Raptors into just 31% from the field and 25% from downtown. Four of the five Boston starters score double figures, led by Jason Tatum with 23 points and 8 rebounds.
Tatum leads Boston in scoring this season, with an average of 28.3 points, adding 9.5 rebounds and a team-high 5.5 assists. Jaylen Brown adds 24.4 points, 6 rebounds and 4.6 assists.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Rockets average 112.9 point per game, ranking 13th in the league. Houston shoots with just 44.3% from the field (26th) and 32.7% from beyond the arc, which is the second-worst in the NBA. Defensively, they are third-best in the league, allowing 106.4 points per game.
Offensively, the Celtics are 4th-best in the NBA with 119.5 points per game. Boston shoots 45.8% from the field (19th) and 36.4% from beyond the arc (13th). Defensively, they allow 110.1 points per game, which is 6th in the league.
The Celtics are 7-1 in their last 8 meetings against the Rockets, and are 6-2 against the spread. Under is 8-2 in their last 10 meetings
Prediction
In this Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction, the Celtics are coming as -3 road favorites. The Celtics have been the better team through the course of the season, but they are a tough scheduling spot, as they are playing their second game in two nights, after visiting the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday. On top of that, Boston is not playing very good basketball lately, and are struggling to cover spreads, as they have been the fourth-worst covering team in the whole NBA this season. The Rockets will be playing their fourth straight home game and will be well-rested, so there is value with the home team in this matchup. Take the Houston Rockets and lay the points at home. Nick’s Free Pick: Houston Rockets +3
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