Celtics vs. Rockets Prediction
Two hot teams collide tonight in the NBA as the Houston Rockets host the Boston Celtics at 8PM ET. Which team will remain hot?
501 Boston Celtics vs. 502 Houston Rockets
Thursday, December 27, 2018
8PM ET – Toyota Center
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Celtics are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -2.5 points against the Rockets. The over/under total is listed at 215 points. The public betting for this game currently has 68 percent going on the Celtics at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NBA Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Celtics back on a roll
The Boston Celtics are coming off a 121-114 OT win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day for their second straight win. Boston is now 20-13 on the season, 9-8 on the road, 17-16 against the spread and 20-13 with the over.
The Celtics have one of the best defenses in the NBA, allowing just 105 points per game while holding opponents to 44 percent shooting. Offensively, Boston is putting up 111.6 points per contest. The team is without center Aron Baynes for a few more weeks due to a hand injury. Kyrie Irving is leading the team with 23.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists per contest while Jayson Tatum is adding 17.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest.
Rockets stay hot
The Houston Rockets earned a 113-109 win over Oklahoma City on Christmas Day for its second straight win and seventh win in eight games. The Rockets are now 18-15 on the season, 11-5 at home, 15-17-1 against the spread and 18-15 with the over.
On the year, Houston is averaging just 109.3 points per game, but their offensive numbers have been improving over recent weeks. The defense is allowing just 108.5 points per game. The Rockets will already be without Chris Paul tonight and for a few weeks due to a hamstring injury. James Harden also is questionable to play tonight due to a calf injury. Harden is averaging 32.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game this year and coming off a 41-point showing against OKC. Clint Capela adds 17.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for Houston.
NBA Betting Trends
Boston
The Celtics are 8-1 against the spread in their last nine games following a win and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 overall.
Houston
The Rockets are 6-0-1 against the spread in their last seven games at home and 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games against winning teams.
Prediction:
The Rockets have been playing very well, but Harden being out, or at least not 100 percent, is a big blow. This game will be challenging for him if he plays, as Boston defends well at the guard position. Already without Chris Paul, it will be tough for the Rockets to match the Celtics without Harden at his best. I look for Boston to take this one.
NBA Prediction: Boston Celtics -2.5