Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Preview
At 7:00 ET, the 9th ranked Rockets will travel to Boston to take on the 1st ranked Celtics. The Celtics are currently favored by 15.5 points and have a moneyline of -1433. The Rockets (+828) come into this game with a record of 19-18, while the Celtics are 29-9.
This non-conference matchup will be played at TD Garden and can be seen on NBCS. The over/under line for this game is currently set at 228.5 points.
Check out BetCoco for Boston Celtics – Houston Rockets odds
Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last five head to head matchups, the Celtics have had the upper-hand, going 4-1. Going back to the last five head-to-head games between the Celtics and Rockets, the over/under record in these games is 0-5 with a combined average of 213 points per contest.
- When looking at their past ten road matchups, Houston has an ATS record of 3-6-1 while averaging 113 per game. The team went 4-6 overall in these games.
- Across the Celtics last three home games, the team averaged 117 points per game while allowing 123. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
- Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Rockets have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the spread was just 3-7.
- Through their last five matchups as the betting favorite, the Celtics have a good straight up record, but their ATS mark is just 2-3.
Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction
On the road this season, the Rockets have gone 4-12 straight up and 6-9 against the spread. As the underdog, Houston is 9-16 straight up and 12-12 ATS. Their average scoring differential as the underdog is -1.4 points per game.
So far, the Rockets have been the underdog in 25 of their 37 games. They have lost their last two games as the underdog and are 19-18 overall this season. In the Western Conference, they are in 9th place.
Against the spread, Houston is 21-15 this season, but they have failed to cover in their last three games. As the underdog, they are 12-12 ATS and have an average scoring differential of -1.4 points per game.
In their last game, the Rockets were 9-point favorites and won 112-110. The combined scoring in the game was 222, and the O/U line was 225.5. This improved their O/U record for the season to 16-21.
For the year, Houston’s games have averaged 223.2 points per game, and their average O/U line is 222.2. In 33 of their games, the over/under line has been lower than 228.5.
On the season, the Rockets are 23rd in the NBA in points per game at 112.6. When playing on the road, they are averaging 111.2 points per game. In terms of scoring, the Rockets have outscored the NBA average in just 40.5% of their games.
When it comes to three-point shooting, Houston is 17th in the league in made threes at 12.4 per game. Overall, they are 18th in three-point shooting percentage at 36%. In terms of pace, the Rockets are 20th in the NBA at 98.4 possessions per game.
So far this season, Houston is 24th in field goal percentage at 46%. In terms of assists, they are 24th in the league at 24.9 per game. When it comes to offensive rebounds, the Rockets are 22nd in the NBA.
So far this season, the Rockets defense has been performing well, ranking 2nd in the NBA at 110.5 points allowed per contest. So far this season, the Rockets’ defense has struggled with fouls, averaging 3rd in fouls per contest. On average, opponents are getting to the line 26.5 times per game vs. Houston.
The Celtics are looking to extend their home winning streak to 19 games as they host the Rockets. Boston is 18-0 at home this season and is 15.5-point favorites today.
In the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are in 1st place with a record of 29-9. Against other teams in the East, they are 22-6 and 7-3 in non-conference games.
When favored this season, the Celtics have gone 27-8 straight up and 15-18 ATS. Their average scoring margin as the favorite is +9.9 PPG, compared to +0.7 PPG as the underdog.
Boston’s last game was a 135-102 loss to the Bucks. The over/under line for the game was 247.5, but the teams combined for just 237 points. The Celtics also lost vs. the spread, as they were 2-point underdogs.
This year, the average over/under line in Celtics games is 230.5, higher than today’s line of 228.5. The team’s O/U record for the season is 21-17, and 19 of their games have had lower O/U lines than 228.5.
Heading into tonight’s game, the Celtics are one of the top offensive teams in the NBA, averaging 120.8 points per game (5th). At home, they are scoring 123.3 points per game.
In terms of their pace, Boston is 18th in the league at 98.8 possessions per game. They have also been one of the most aggressive three-point shooting teams, leading the NBA in both three-point attempts and makes.
Overall, the Celtics are shooting 47% from the field (11th) and have made 56% of their two-point attempts (4th). In terms of free throws, they are 15th in both attempts and makes.
Boston’s defense has been playing well, ranking 6th in the NBA with 111.6 points allowed per game. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Celtics defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 51.7% while allowing 36.4% from downtown.
In spite of being 15.5 point underdogs, we anticipate the Rockets winning this one 119-115.
Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Betting Tips
- We like the Rockets on the moneyline (+828)
- The Rockets are also our pick on the spread at +15.5
- Projecting a combined 234 points, we like the over
Boston Celtics Injury Report
No Injuries Reported
Houston Rockets Injury Report
- Victor Oladipo – Knee – Out
- Dillon Brooks – Abdomen – Out
- Tari Eason – Leg – Out
