Expert NBA Betting Prediction: Celtics vs. Rockets

Expert NBA Betting Prediction: Celtics vs. Rockets

Written by on March 1, 2018

If you had been asked prior to the start of the NBA season who the best team in the league was, you may well have been split between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. After all, these are the two teams who have made a habit of going all the way to the NBA Finals, with many believing that they were on course to do so again this season. It’s fair to say that some minds may have been changed during the course of this season, though, as it can now be argued that the Houston Rockets are the NBA Betting favorites to win it all and that the Boston Celtics are also in the picture. The Rockets currently hold a slender lead over the Warriors at the top of the Western Conference, while the Boston Celtics are on a good run of form that is keeping them right on the heels of the Toronto Raptors in the East. These two teams hook up in prime time on Saturday night in a match-up that really should not be missed. The Rockets should come on top of the NBA Odds for this one, but which of these teams is going to further stake their claim to being the NBA’s best?

Boston at Houston Expert NBA Betting Prediction

  • When: Saturday, March 3 at 8 PM EST
  • Where: Toyota Center, Houston
  • TV: ABC
  • Radio: 680 AM (Boston) / 1420 AM (Houston)
  • Live Stream: NBA League Pass
  • NBA Odds: TBA

Team Records

  • All: Boston Celtics 44-19 / Houston Rockets 47-13
  • Home: Boston Celtics 23-11 / Houston Rockets 24-6
  • Away: Boston Celtics 21-8 / Houston Rockets 23-7
  • ATS: Boston Celtics 37-24-2 / Houston Rockets 31-28-1
  • Over/Under: Boston Celtics 32-30-1 / Houston Rockets 27-32-1

Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)

  • Record: Houston Rockets lead 6-4
  • Score: Boston Celtics 99.10 / Houston Rockets 101.20
  • Field Goal Percentage: Boston Celtics 44.67 / Houston Rockets 41.65
  • Rebounds: Boston Celtics 44.60 / Houston Rockets 45.60
  • 3 Point Shots: Boston Celtics 98-307 / Houston Rockets 76-269
  • Steals: Boston Celtics 8.00 / Houston Rockets 10.00

Why bet on the Boston Celtics?

In the weeks leading up to the All-Star Break, the Boston Celtics went on a bit of a downturn in form that saw them relinquish the Eastern Conference lead to the Toronto Raptors. They appear to now be pulling out of that bad run, as they are now on a 4-game winning streak that has taken them to a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. While the majority of NBA teams have struggled to get any joy against Houston this season, the Celtics were able to take them down in a tight 99-98 win in late December. Boston has now won 2 of their last 3 against the Rockets, although only 1 of the last 4 games that they have played in Houston. Boston has been outstanding on the road this season, putting together a very impressive 21-8 record. They are 20-14 in games against teams with a winning record.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Total Score: 104.11
  • Field Goal Percentage: 44.98
  • Three-Point Percentage: 37.32
  • Free Throw Percentage: 76.74
  • Total Rebounds: 44.30
Defense
  • Total Score: 99.87
  • Field Goal Percentage: 43.54
  • Three-Point Percentage: 33.75
  • Free Throw Percentage: 76.55
  • Total Rebounds: 43.98

Why bet on the Houston Rockets?

It is hard to argue against the Houston Rockets as being the best team in the NBA right now and not just because of their overall 48-13 record, which is the best in the league. You also need to look at the form they are in, as they are in the midst of a run that has seen them win 14 straight games. We might finally have a team capable of taking the power away from the Golden State Warriors. The Rockets should come in as the NBA Betting favorites against the Celtics. James Harden certainly seems to think so, as he took to the airwaves this week to declare that his team has what it takes to win a championship this year. Given that this team is 24-6 at home, they would certainly be tough to beat if they finished first in the West and secured home-court advantage through the playoffs. The Rockets seem to enjoy playing the better teams in the league, as they boast a 26-9 record against teams with a winning record.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Total Score: 113.84
  • Field Goal Percentage: 46.24
  • Three-Point Percentage: 36.45
  • Free Throw Percentage: 78.93
  • Total Rebounds: 43.57
Defense
  • Total Score: 104.97
  • Field Goal Percentage: 46.57
  • Three-Point Percentage: 36.05
  • Free Throw Percentage: 75.26
  • Total Rebounds: 41.23

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I think we are in for another close one here, but I have to give the slight edge to the Houston Rockets and their spectacular home court prowess. Score: Boston Celtics 103 – Houston Rockets 107