Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics - NBA prediction

Details:

The Celtics have started the season with two consecutive losses and if the same happens on Sunday night, new coach Ime Udoka will be on hot seat right away.

The double-overtime opening night loss to the Knicks is not worrying as much as Friday night’s 115-83 home loss to the Toronto Raptors. The Celtics shot only 39% from the field with only three players scoring in double digits.

Jason Tatum led the way with 18, followed by Josh Richardson with 12 and Al Horford with 11. Jaylen Brown was held to only nine points, with 0-7 shooting from the three-point range. Marcus Smart was even worse, missing all of his six shots and finishing the game with no points.

Previously against the Knicks, the individual stats looked much better as all starters scored in double-digits led by Brown with 46. Jasin Tatum had 20, Robert Williams 16 while Grant Williams and Smarts scored 15 each.

The Rockets are predicted to be at the bottom of the league since they had the worst score in the league last season, having a 20-game losing streak at one point. Still, they are 1-1 from the start after losing in Minnesota and defeating Oklahoma City at home.

Christian Wood is the top player for the team from Texas recording 16 points and 9 rebounds against the Wolves and 31 points and 14 rebounds in a win against the Thunder.

The second pick of the last NBA draft Jalen Green has had a slow start scoring 9 points in each of the first two games.

Key facts

• Boston won both games against Houston last season with an average margin of 21.5 points
• After the Boston game, the Rockets are playing six of their next seven games on the road
• Jaylen Brown is questionable for tonight’s game due to a sore knee
• If Brown is not ready, Josh Richardson will start in his place

There is no question which of the two teams is better but what really makes the Celtics a favorite is their hunger for the first win of the season. The game in Houston seems like a perfect opportunity for that, with or without Jaylen Brown. The Celtics haven’t started 0-3 in more than 15 years and it is very unlikely that to happen this time. The Celtics are expected to set the tone from the beginning and end up with a comfortable win.

Best Bet

Boston Celtics -7.5 and total over 223.5

3.5

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