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Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction NBA Picks 1/3/25
Pick details
Houston Rockets (22-11) vs Boston Celtics (24-9)
January 3, 2025 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Houston Rockets +2.5 / Boston Celtics — Over/Under:
The Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets do battle at the Toyota Center on Friday night. Here’s a Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction. This article will include a Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Pick.
Boston CelticsÂ
The Boston Celtics have been in decent shape as they’ve won three of their past four games and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after outlasting the Timberwolves in a 118-115 road win last night. Jayson Tatum led the team with 33 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, Derrick White added 26 points on 10 of 20 shooting while Sam Hauser chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the Celtics shot 50 percent from the field and 22 of 57 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered an early 14-point lead. The Celtics went on a pivotal 16-7 run late in the fourth quarter to escape with the gritty road win. The Celtics will take on the Thunder after this game.
Houston RocketsÂ
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets have been in great shape as they’ve won seven of their last 10 games overall and they will be looking to stay hot after blowing past the shorthanded Mavericks in a 110-99 home win on Wednesday. Alperen Sengun led the team with 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, and five steals, Jalen Green added 22 points while Dillon Brooks chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Rockets shot 47 percent from the field and eight of 25 from the 3-point line as they shook off a slow start. The Rockets were always in control after dominating the second quarter by 37-22 to turn a 10-point deficit into an 18-point lead. Fred VanVleet had a rough game as he shot just one of eight from the field to finish with just five points, but he did tally up seven assists with six steals.Â
Why the Houston Rockets will win
- The Rockets have won four of their last five games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Celtics have lost each of their last five games at Toyota Center following a win.
- The Celtics have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine games as favorites following a win.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the last five games between the Celtics and Rockets.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Celtics’ last six games against the Rockets following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Rockets’ last eight night games against the Celtics following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Prediction
The Celtics still have Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis on the injury report, while the Rockets have ruled out Tari Eason and they have Jock Landale as questionable. The Celtics haven’t been at their absolute best lately, but they were good enough to take down the Timberwolves in a gritty win last night. Meanwhile, the Rockets come into this game as the team in better form, and they have the added advantage of extra rest as they haven’t played since their win over the Mavericks on Wednesday. I am not surprised at all that the Celtics are favorites on the road. The Celtics are playing their second game of a back-to-back set while being a little banged up, so I am leaning toward the Rockets to take advantage at home.
