The Boston Celtics head to Texas tonight for an intriguing matchup with the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center.
My Celtics vs. Rockets predictions expect Derrick White to contribute to the team's scoring effort, especially with Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis nursing injuries.
Read more in my NBA picks for Friday, January 3.
Celtics vs Rockets prediction
My best bet
Derrick White Over 15.5 points (-120 at bet365)
My analysis
Derrick White has become an important player for the Boston Celtics. In 2024-25, the former Colorado standout is averaging 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists on 39% shooting from 3-point range.
His total is set at 15.5 tonight, and if you look at the trends, this is a no-brainer bet. White has hit the Over in points in six of his last eight appearances. The guard just scored 26 on Thursday evening in a win over the Timberwolves, stepping up alongside Jayson Tatum as Brown sat out due to injury.
That could be the case again here, which means potentially more minutes for White. For what it’s worth, he averaged 17 ppg in two appearances against the Rockets last season. White is also scoring 16.5 points per night on the road.
Celtics vs Rockets same-game parlay
Derrick White Over 15.5 points
Fred VanVleet Under 6.5 assists
Celtics moneyline
Fred VanVleet has taken a backseat as a scorer since joining the young Rockets, who are mostly led by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. However, and continues to thrive as a gifted passer.
VanVleet is one of their best playmakers, but I’m expecting Boston’s stout perimeter defense to keep him at bay. The C's allow just eight assists per contest to point guards overall, and FVV has hit the Under in assists in four of his last six outings.
The Celtics are thriving with a 25-9 record. They’re 6-4 in their last 10 and haven’t really missed a beat since winning a championship last June. Boston is sitting at -140 on the moneyline tonight and has lived up to expectations as road favorites this season.
In 14 games where they were a moneyline favorite away from the TD Garden, Joe Mazzulla’s squad has gone 12-2-0. Even if Brown and Porzingis don’t go, we’ve seen that the C’s have more than enough depth from top to bottom to still perform and grind out wins. That will happen again here.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Celtics vs Rockets odds
Celtics vs Rockets live odds
Celtics vs Rockets opening odds
- Spread: Boston -3 | Houston +3
- Moneyline: Boston -140 | Houston +120
- Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Celtics vs Rockets spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Celtics are 6-7-1 as an ATS road favorite.
- Houston has compiled a 20-13-0 ATS record.
- The Under has cashed in eight of the last 10 meetings.
Celtics vs Rockets trend
The Celtics have hit the moneyline in 21 of their last 26 away games (+10.85 Units / 8% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Rockets.
How to watch Celtics vs Rockets
| Location: | Toyota Center, Houston, Texas |
| Date: | Friday, 1-3-2025 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCSB, H SCHN |
Celtics vs Rockets latest injuries
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