Possible Finals Preview as Rockets Host Celtics
The defending champion Boston Celtics (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) were surprisingly routed in their last game, losing to the Indiana Pacers 95-79 on Saturday. The Houston Rockets (3-0 SU, 1-2 ATS) have plans on reaching the NBA Finals this season and are off to a perfect 3-0 start in the BetUS Sportsbook.
NBA sports betting enthusiasts will be treated to a possible Finals preview in tonight when the Rockets play host to the visiting Celtics who shot a pitiful 35 percent in their dismal loss to the Pacers and were thoroughly outplayed in picking up a surprising double-digit loss after recording just three such losses during the entire 2007-08 campaign.
Boston turned the ball over 24 times and were scorched by Pacers blossoming forward Danny Granger who lost two front teeth in the loss but flashed a huge grin just seconds later that said it all.
“I consider us to be one of the best defensive teams in the league, and tonight, we were challenged, fully,” forward Kevin Garnett said.
The Rockets have plans on getting out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in the Tracy McGrady-Yao Ming era after acquiring mercurial forward Ron Artest in an offseason trade with the Sacramento Kings.
The Rockets are playing their own terrific brand of defense, holding opponents to just 83.3 points per game through their first three contests.
Houston will look to move to 4-0 for the first time in 12 years after man-handling the young Oklahoma City Thunder 89-77 on Saturday despite the fact that head coach Rick Adelman was not pleased with his team’s offensive effort.
“There was no activity and you have to play together as a team,” Adelman said. “We seemed to want to do everything off the dribble, with one guy dribbling and we weren’t setting picks. I don’t know if we were being lazy or what, but we just can’t play that way.”
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks:
The Celtics are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.
The Under is 8-1 in Celtics last 9 road games.
The Under is 5-0 in Rockets last 5 Tuesday games.
The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Houston.
The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Houston.
The Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
NBA Odds
Boston Celtics +2½ -110
Houston Rockets -2½ -110
Over 177½ -110
Under 177½ -110
Analysis: I’ve been a lifelong diehard Celtics fans for four decades, but BetUS NBA Sportsbook bettors should know that fact never comes into play when I make my handicapping selections!
Celtics fan or not, I like the Houston Rockets to win this game and cover the spread while making a bold statement to their Western Conference foes and the rest of the NBA that they are legitimate title contenders this season.
Expect a low-scoring, defensive-oriented affair that Houston wins with another spectacular defensive effort.
