NBA : Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Odds & Prediction

Game Info: January 3, 2024 8:00PM EST @ Toyota Center

Boston is fresh off a terrific performance after hammering Toronto and has shown the capability to bounce back after hard setbacks, which include a recent win over Minnesota. They have exceptional offensive production with a defense boasting a league-best in steals and ought to continue the momentum. On the contrary, Houston has had a mix bag – terrific wins over New Orleans and Charlotte and close matches against Miami and Indiana. And while they are better than before, they have to face yet another tough opponent – this time Boston – as they try to turn things around at home.

Betting Odds and Info

These are the latest odds as of writing:

Moneyline: Celtics 1.70 , Rockets 2.21

Spread: Celtics -2.5 , Rockets +2.5

Over/Under: 221.5

Team Recent Performance

Boston Celtics

The team won the match against Minnesota, posting 118-115, but could not cover the spread of -3 while going over the total (215.5) on January 3. The team won against Toronto on January 1 with a score of 125-71, thus covering the spread of -17 and under the total of (232). They lost to Indiana that day with a score of 114-123 and failed to cover the -10.5 while going over under the total of (232). On the 28th of December, the team returned to winning after they beat Indiana 142-105, covering -12 and going over on total (231). The team lost to Philadelphia on December 26 by 114-118, thus missing the -9.5 spread, while they went over the total of (223.5).

Houston Rockets

Their loss against Miami ended as 100-104 on December 30, with the match failing to go under the (215) marker and not coming close to the -8.5 spread. The match on December 28 was again not so great for them as they lost to Minnesota with the scores of 112-113, missing the -1 spread and going over the total (215.5). However, just the previous day, on December 27, they successfully bounced back by beating New Orleans 128-111 and took -7. They won once again, this time against Charlotte, crushing them 114 – 101 on December 24, again covering the spread at -6 and making the under of (221). They had last secured a successful 110-99 win over Dallas on January 2 by covering the -4.5 spread as well as under (220.5).

Team Head-to-Head Matchup

The Boston Celtics (7-3) comfortably outstrip their comparison with the Houston Rockets (3-7). Boston has been doing better against the spread (6-3-1 vs. 3-6-1) and has averaged the same dismal under-over record as Houston (2-8). The Celtics tally an average of 117.8 per game, compared with 105.6 by the Rockets. At halftime scores, Boston leads (57.8 to 51.1), in field goal percentage (46.66% to 41.44%), and rebounds (50.0 to 45.2). The three-point shooting efficiency is in favor of Boston – 159 makes on 426 attempts as opposed to 123 on 405 attempts from Houston. The defensive department also has an edge for Boston with the stats of 9.1 steals average per game against 7.9 averaged by Houston.

Team Injuries Update

Boston Celtics

Kristaps Porziņģis (SF, ankle) and Jaylen Brown (PF, shoulder) are both ruled out for the game.

Houston Rockets

Tari Eason (SF, injury management) is ruled out for the game.

SPORTBOOK.AG’s Prediction

The Boston Celtics will win and cover the spread with the total staying under 221.5.

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