Sign In $
NBA

NBA Betting Odds, Picks & Preview for Saturday – Rockets at Celtics

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
3 minute read

Celtics host Rockets for Saturday ABC Prime Time!

The red-hot Boston Celtics are thriving without departed Kyrie Irving as they have returned to their roots of team before self. Coach Brad Stevens has choreographed one of the Association’s top defenses to go with a balanced offense that has the Celtics challenging for the Atlantic Division title.

Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni has gone back to his old formula of run and gun basketball. And with NBA scoring champion James Harden headlining the marquee along with Russell Westbrook, there is merit to the madness. While the Rockets are nowhere near their defensive performance of the past two seasons, they still lead the Southwest Division.

In a matchup of opposites and a potential 2020 NBA Finals Preview, the Celtics host the Rockets on ABC Saturday night.

Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics      
Date and Time:Saturday, February 29, 2020, 8:30 p. m. ET
Location:  TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Betting Online Odds at BetMGM (T&Cs, 21+, NJ only.): Boston -1. 5
Rockets vs. Celtics TV Coverage:  ABC

Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics Betting Line Overview

Boston is one of the most popular and public teams on the NBA board. Their recent play will only add to the price tag, especially at home. Houston will certainly attract shoppers as the quality road dog.

Houston Rockets Current Form

Houston has been a profitable team lately with seven payouts in their last 10 games. They are now 38-20 straight up, 29-29 vs. the line, and 26-32 under the total. The Rockets will be well rested having last played in Wednesday night in a 140-112 blowout cover against the Memphis Grizzlies as 12. 5-point home chalks. NBA metrics have the Rockets ranked second for scoring offense and 21st for points allowed. Houston is in a three-way battle with the Denver Nuggets and LA Clippers for second in the Western Conference.

Boston Celtics Current Form

Boston has gone 14-3 straight up in their last 17 games to now be neck-and neck with the Toronto Raptors for second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics have visited the payout window in five straight games to now stand at 41-17 straight up, 36-20-2 against the spread and 27-31 under the total. Boston ranks eighth in the NBA for scoring offense and third for points allowed. The Celtics successfully wrapped up a four-game road trip Wednesday with a 114-103 win at Utah as 5-point dogs.

Players to Watch

Houston G James Harden has won the NBA Scoring championship the past two seasons and is blowing out the rest of the field for a three-peat. The Beard is averaging 32. 7 points with 6. 4 rebounds and 7. 3 assists per game. He totaled 30 points in the win over Memphis. It was Harden’s third straight game with 30 or more points.

Boston PF Jayson Tatum continues to roll with a team best 23. 3 points and 7. 0 rebounds per game. The first-round draft pick from Duke scored 33 points to go with 11 boards at Utah. Tatum has scored 28 points or more in four straight games.

Kemba Walker Status

Boston PG Kemba Walker has not played since the All-Star Game due to a knee issue and is questionable for this one.

Rockets and Celtics Against the Pointspread

Houston has paid in five of their last eight road games with four of those games staying under the total. Most important, they have covered 15 of their last 20 as dogs. Boston has covered six of their last seven at TD Garden with four of their last six on the famed parquet floor staying under the number. This is a rematch of a February 11 tilt in Houston which the Rockets won and covered 116-105 as 2. 5-point chalks as the game stayed under 233. Houston has covered the last three meetings in this head to head series, including their most recent visit to TD Garden.

Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics Selection Summary

This is Boston’s first home game since February 13. The Rockets certainly bring more than enough offense to stay within the number. As mentioned earlier, Houston has the proven ability to come away with the cash as a dog.

Rockets vs. Celtics Free Pick and Score Prediction

Houston Rockets +1. 5
Rockets 106 Celtics 105



Expert Picks - Celtics vs. Rockets

Nba News

VegasInsider Staff

VegasInsider Staff

More from VegasInsider Staff
•