The Houston Rockets (2-2) and Boston Celtics (3-3) meet Saturday at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Rockets vs. Celtics odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Split 1-1
The Rockets beat the Toronto Raptors 139-121 Wednesday, covering as a 5.5-point road favorite. The Over (233.5) hit. Houston was led by 15-time All-Star F Kevin Durant, who scored 31 points on 11-for-19 shooting. After losing their first 2 games, the Rockets have rebounded well, going 2-0 both straight up and against the spread (ATS) while averaging 138 points per game.
The Celtics have had a similar story. They beat the Philadelphia 76ers 109-108 on the road Friday, failing to cover as a 2-point road favorite. The Under (233.5) cashed. F Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 32 points. Boston lost its first 3 games and failed to cover in each but has ripped off 3 straight victories while going 2-1 ATS.
Rockets at Celtics odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:31 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Rockets -210 (bet $210 to win $100) | Celtics +170 (bet $100 to win $170)Against the spread: Rockets -5.5 (-110) | Celtics +5.5 (-110)Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)Rockets at Celtics key injuries
Rockets
F Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) outG Fred VanVleet (knee) out
Celtics
(Not yet submitted — below was for Friday’s game)
F Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Rockets at Celtics picks and predictionsPrediction
Rockets 117, Celtics 109
PASS.
The Rockets (-210) are scorching hot and should come out on top. However, they are too expensive to play here.
BET ROCKETS -5.5 (-110).
The Rockets struggled to start the season, but the talent is there. They have stepped up defensively, holding 2 of their last 3 opponents to 115 points or fewer while averaging 129 points per game in that span. They rank No. 1 in offensive rating (125.2), which will be hard for Boston — ranked eighth (117.2) — to keep pace with.
The Celtics are just 1-2 ATS as an underdog. Their offense, while efficient, ranks only 25th in true shooting percentage. Expect Houston’s scorching offense to be too much for Boston to handle and back the ROCKETS -5.5 (-110).
BET UNDER 225.5 (-115).
These teams play at a turtle’s pace. They rank second-to-last (Houston) and last (Boston) in pace, so this game won’t be played at a fast tempo, which should limit scoring opportunities.
The Celtics have gone Under the projected total in 3 straight games, allowing 108 points or fewer in each of those contests. Considering those trends, BET UNDER 227.5 (-115).
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