Rockets vs. Celtics Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
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Jeremy Perry
The Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets are two of the NBA’s hottest teams right now. On Saturday, the two sides will square off in a primetime game on ABC. These two engaged in an epic contest back on February 11th in Houston in which the Rockets won 116-105. The Celtics will try to return the favor on Saturday night at the TD Garden but the oddsmakers are expecting a tight game. The Celtics are only favored by 1.5 right now.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Rockets are on a roll as they’ve won five in a row and covered the spread in four of those games. They’ve been fairly reliable against the spread of late as they’ve covered seven of their last 10. Road games are always tough in the NBA but they’re 17-12 in away games and they’ve won three of their last four away games.
As for the Celtics, they’re a healthy 23-5 at home but they haven’t spent much time there lately. Only one of their last eight was at home. Still, they’ve won seven straight at home.
Keep your eye on the injury news as it looks like Celtics point guard Kemba Walker (doubtful) will miss Saturday’s game.
Houston Rockets
Much was made about the Rockets new smallball lineup when they lost two of their first three after trading away center Clint Capela. However, it’s been smooth sailing since. They’ve won five games in a row and their offense has been on fire. They have averaged a whopping 126.8 points per game in that span with their lowest output being the 116 they scored on Boston.
Russell Westbrook has been the key to the team’s success as he’s been phenomenal. Over his last seven contests, he’s averaging 32.3 points per game with 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 54.2% from the field. He carved the Celtics up on February 11th, scoring 36 on 56.5% from the field. Another game like that and the Rockets will sweep the season series.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been tough to beat of late as their only two losses in their last 13 games have come to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are currently favored to win the NBA championship, and the aforementioned Rockets. The key to their success has been the play of Jayson Tatum, who has been a man possessed of late. Over his last 10 contests, he’s averaging an incredible 31.1 points per game while shooting 52.7% from the field. He’s also adding in 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals. He was ineffective in the first meeting of the season as he had just 15 points on 33% shooting in that contest. He’ll have to be better in this spot.
The Celtics have to find a way to win the battle on the glass as they’re ninth in the NBA in rebounds per game and Houston is 15th in the category with their small ball lineup. However, the Celtics were only +3 in the first meeting. The Celtics also had 18 turnovers in the game, which is uncharacteristic for them. They average 13.1 on the season, which is eighth in the league. If they can do better in those two realms, they should win.