The Houston Rockets (38-20) head to Beantown to play the Boston Celtics (41-17) Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET in the TD Garden. We analyze the Rockets-Celtics odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.
Rockets at Celtics: Key injuries
ROCKETS
- SG Eric Gordon (knee) questionable
CELTICS
- C Robert Williams III (hip) probable
- PG Kemba Walker (knee) out
Rockets at Celtics: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Saturday at 3:45 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Celtics 118, Rockets 111
Moneyline (ML)
The Rockets +105 have beaten the Celtics -129 in four straight games, including a 116-105 win at Houston just before the All-Star break. James Harden and Russell Westbrook erupted in that one for 42 and 36 points, respectively. But the key to the Rockets’ victory was bottling up Jayson Tatum, who only had 15 points—his only game with fewer than 20 points in his last 15.
Now Tatum is on a tear with 33+ points in five of his past six games. With no Kemba Walker in the lineup, the Celtics need Tatum to step up, and he should light up Danuel House—who’s the worst defensively rated player in the Rockets starting lineup. Also, Boston has the fourth-best winning percentage at home this season (23-5) and I have a hunch their home-court advantage will be even greater since they are playing a Saturday night nationally televised game.
TAKE CELTICS -129 on the moneyline. New to sports betting? Bet $129 on the Celtics to earn a $100 profit if they win straight up.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
PASS on the AGAINST THE SPREAD wager and just stick with the moneyline bet. But since the 1.5-point line is so small we can use ATS trends to reinforce our moneyline handicap. The Celtics -1.5 (-110) are 17-10-1 ATS at home compared to a Rockets +1.5 (-110) team that is 14-15 ATS in road games. Also, Boston is 9-2 ATS at home against winning teams but Houston is a solid 6-4 in away games versus teams above .500.
Over/Under (O/U)
The bright lights of the ABC cameras could cause the refs to allow the Rockets-Celtics to play a more physical brand of basketball, i.e. fewer foul shots. Plus their combined Over/Under record in nonconference games is just 17-25. Furthermore, the Under is 7-0 in the last seven meetings in Boston and 9-2 in the Rockets’ last 11 against a team with a winning record.
I LEAN UNDER 232.5 (-115).
Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]