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NBA: Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Betting Preview



Two very evenly matched up sides face off in Boston as the 38-25 Boston Celtics host 37-25 Houston Rockets in front of their fans.


Boston Celtics


It’s been a rough going for the Celtics since the all star break. It seems like Boston are still yet to figure it out with a 38-25 record and a 5th seed in the East currently. Celtics have came out of the all star break playing terribly losing 4 straight games before eventually winning one against a BAD Wizards team 107-96 on Friday. Celtics are desperate for a statement win right now and with Houston coming to town it’s a really good opportunity to give their fans some hope that they’re not done and should still be considered as a contender. If there is one thing that Boston have done well is play good basketball at home at 24-9 and they have knocked off some top teams like Milwaukee, Toronto twice, Philadelphia twice, OKC and gave a healthy Warriors a very tough time. It’s going to be essential for Boston to get off to a good start in this game against Houston to gain some confidence to get this win. It’s also important that players like Tatum, Brown and Hayward show up because all 3 have not lived up to their level of play post all star break for the Celtics. Health wise, Celtics don’t have any serious issues, only Baynes is questionable and everyone else is available. Boston absolutely need to get it going now and it’d be a good start if they could win against the Rockets.


Injury Report


Aron Baynes – Questionable


Houston Rockets


Unlike the Celtics, it seems like the Rockets are finally figuring it out. They’re also 5th in their conference with a very similar 37-25 record, but the mood in Houston is completely different after their recent few wins. After heading into the all star break playing sluggish and coming out of it losing to the Lakers by blowing a 19 pt lead, Houston have went on to win 4 consecutive games including defeating the Warriors at Oracle without Harden who by the way is coming of a 58/7/10 game against Miami on Thursday. Rockets have finally gotten healthy although entering this game they have a few depth guys on injury report including Faried and Gordon although it seems like they’ll play in this game. Houston’s recent success has happen due to a few key reasons. Harden’s play if first of course but Chris Paul has gotten back into shape and is looking solid, Capela is back from injury, the newly added depth guys have played well especially Faried who has had a resurgence here in Houston. Houston have been up and down on the road this season at 15-16, but playing on the road against mainly West teams is never easy, barely any teams have solid road records in the Western conference this season. Rockets have been pretty good against the top teams this season, they have winning records against Denver, Golden State, Indiana, Toronto and even Boston who they defeated in the first meeting 127- 113 despite CP3 not playing as Harden dropped 45.


Injury Report


Eric Gordon – Probable to Play


Kenneth Faried – Probable to Play


Gerald Green – Questionable


Iman Shumpert – Doubtful


Betting Stats


Totals


Celtics are one of the best total point overs covering teams at Home this season in the NBA at 60.6% (20-13). Total this evening is 226.0 points and the Celtics have not had that total at home before, however they had a really close one at 226.5 points against the Blazers and that ended with an under in a 92-97 loss. They also had a 225.5 total against the Lakers which ended with an over in a 128-129 loss.


Rockets have covered 42% of their total point overs this season which is quite poor (13-2-16). Rockets haven’t had a 226 point total on the road before either and the closest they’ve had to that was 225.5 pts total against Golden State which resulted with an over in a 135-134 win and Denver which also resulted with an over in a 122-136 loss, so at least at 225-226 point total they’ve been perfect at covering overs.


 



Handicaps


Celtics are pretty good at covering Handicaps at home at 60.6% (20-1-12). They’re tipped as 2 point favourites against Houston. Boston have not had a -2 Handicap at home before this season but have had a close -2.5 Handicap covering it against Milwaukee in a 117-113 win and failing to cover the same Handicap against Portland in a 92-97 loss.


Rockets have only managed to cover 38.7% of their road Handicaps this season (12-2-17). Rockets have had a +2 Handicap on the road once before which they failed to cover against the Trail-Blazers losing the game 110-101, they also had a very similar +1.5 Handicap at Washington also failing to cover it losing 135-131.


Recent H2H in Boston


Celtics have won 2 straight meetings against the Rockets in Boston entering this game.


Last time that these teams met in Boston, the Celtics erased a 26 point deficit to defeat the Houston Rockets 99-98 in 2017 December. Celtics covered a +1.5 Handicap and total 215.5 points resulted with an under as teams totalled 197 points.


 


TIP OFF – 3rd March 2019 – 8:30pm UK Time

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