The Boston Celtics (32-14) and Houston Rockets (30-14) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Celtics are 6.5-point favorites over the Rockets on the spread (Celtics -6.5), with the over/under set at 222 total points. Boston is a -258 favorite to win outright, while Houston is +210 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Rockets vs. Celtics predictions and NBA picks for Monday, January 27.
Rockets vs. Celtics Prediction, Picks
Spread
My model makes Houston a five-point underdog in this contest, and the Rockets are in a decent revenge spot after losing by 23 points in the earlier meeting.
Moneyline
I wouldn't rule out a Rockets outright win, considering they're coming off back-to-back victories over the Cavaliers team that leads the Eastern Conference by 4.5 games.
Over/Under
The total is a pass for me. My projection is closer to 224 points, but it's been the under that cashed in eight of the 10 games in this series.
My Pick: Rockets +6.5
Rockets vs. Celtics Odds
| Rockets Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -110 | 222 -110 / -110 | +210 |
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -110 | 222 -110 / -110 | -258 |
- Rockets vs. Celtics spread: Celtics -6.5
- Rockets vs. Celtics over/under: 222 total points
- Rockets vs. Celtics moneyline: Rockets +210, Celtics -258
- Rockets vs. Celtics best bet: Rockets +6.5 (-110)
My Celtics vs. Rockets best bet is on Houston to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at DraftKings. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics Preview
If the rest of the league wasn't paying much attention to the Rockets, then they better start to take notice. Houston enters this game off an impressive performance against the Cavaliers, picking up two wins in a home-and-home series.
Cleveland (36-9) began the series with the best record in the league, but the Thunder, with a 37-8 record, now hold that honor.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about the Rockets' wins was the versatility they showed in those games. In the first meeting at the Toyota Center, Houston limited Cleveland to 108 points on 42% shooting.
However, in the second game back on Cleveland's turf, the Rockets shot 54.9% and won 135-131.
When I look at this Rockets-Celtics matchup, my main focus is the matchup on the perimeter. Boston outshot Houston 19-10 from 3-point range, which proved to be the difference in Boston's 109-86 victory on Jan. 3.
Although I readily admit that the Rockets aren't particularly great from long range, considering they rank 23rd with 12.3 3-pointers per game. Moreover, it was surprising to see them struggle with their perimeter defense. Houston is tied for second in opponent 3-point field goals (12.6) and second in opponent 3-point attempts (34.7).
Boston made roughly seven more 3-pointers than the Rockets allowed per game this season while shooting four more attempts.
It's abundantly clear that Houston can't afford another game in which it struggles offensively and defensively from beyond the arc. However, given what we've seen from the Rockets this season, it's probably more unlikely they'd struggle in both facets of their perimeter game.
Lastly, Houston's success against the Cavaliers could carry over into this game. This season, underdogs are 3-1 straight up and against the spread when coming off a victory over Cleveland.
While the sample size is relatively small, the outright wins in this spot might point to an underlying value in the confidence a team can take into its next game after defeating the Cavaliers.
Rockets vs. Celtics Best Bets, Predictions
For the Rockets to have any chance of covering the spread, they'll likely focus their efforts on thwarting the Celtics' best player, Jayson Tatum. Tatum has a points + rebounds + assists (PRA) prop of 39.5, which he has failed to exceed in five straight games.
It's worth noting that he also stayed under that projection in his last two meetings against the Rockets. Houston has a top-10 defense in PRA to opposing small forwards, allowing just 28.93 per game.
The total is 8-2 to the under in the last 10 meetings, and if we have another lower-scoring game, it's difficult to see Tatum exceeding his PRA of 39.5.
Combining the under in Tatum's PRA with the Rockets at +6.5 would help boost our odds to +210 on a DraftKings same-game parlay.
Best Bet: Rockets +6.5 (-110)
Celtics vs. Rockets Parlay Picks
- Rockets +6.5
- Jayson Tatum Under 39.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Parlay Payout: +210
