Rockets vs Celtics Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Sengun Continues Making Presence Felt

The Boston Celtics put their unbeaten home record on the line tonight as NBA odds favorites, facing the Houston Rockets in Ime Udoka’s return to TD Garden.

The Celtics pushed their home mark to 18-0 in midweek, surviving overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves, before a dud outing on the road against the Milwaukee Bucks the next night.

Here, it’s the Rockets dealing with a back-to-back set. They continue to be one of the NBA’s best storylines in Udoka’s first season in Houston but needed a strong finish last night just to edge past the lowly Detroit Pistons.

Read on for our free Rockets vs. Celtics NBA picks and predictions ahead of this January 13 showdown.

Rockets vs Celtics odds

Rockets vs Celtics predictions

The latest NBA Most Improved Player odds have Alperen Sengun nipping at the heels of frontrunner Tyrese Maxey, and Sengun seems to be unlocking even more of his talent this month.

He led the Rockets with 29 points against the Pistons last night, and he’s gone past the 20-point mark in six of his seven games so far in January. His scoring numbers this month represent a jump — up to 24.6 after averaging 21 for the past two months — and he’s coming off two straight games with 19 field goal attempts.

With Fred VanVleet logging 43 minutes against Detroit and now facing the Celtics’ elite backcourt defense, I expect the Rockets to run plenty of the offense through Sengun tonight — and that should pave the way for a big stat line.

I’m drawn to the Sengun rebounds prop too. Though his totals there can fluctuate, he’s averaging almost nine boards a game, and he’s had nine or more rebounds in three of his last four outings. It’ll be imperative for Houston that he and Jabari Smith Jr. control the glass against Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum.

Rather than take either of those props straight up, I’m pairing them for a line that feels well within reach for Sengun, assuming the Rockets can keep the scoreline close enough that he gets his full minutes load. 

Houston is a major underdog at TD Garden tonight, but I like the Alperen Sengun odds to take the fight to Boston and finish with monster numbers.

My best bet: Alperen Sengun Over 31.5 points + rebounds (-111 at FanDuel)

Rockets vs Celtics same-game parlay

Alperen Sengun Over 31.5 points + rebounds

Jayson Tatum Over 8.5 rebounds

Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 threes made

+450 at bet365

While I like the Sengun prop as the standout pick, I also see Tatum continuing his sizzling form. Setting aside the Celtics’ gassed no-show in Milwaukee, he’s put together an outstanding start to 2024.

His 45-point night against the Timberwolves was a next-level effort, but his impact goes beyond scoring, especially with Boston’s array of bucket-getters. I prefer the Tatum rebounds prop tonight in a market where he continues to be undervalued. He’s had 13 boards twice already this month, and I like his chances of getting to nine here.

I’m also counting on another dialed-in performance from downtown. Tatum is shooting 55% on triples in January, and he went a combined 14-for-24 in recent wins over Minnesota and the Indiana Pacers.

Before his brief outing in Milwaukee on Thursday, Tatum had drilled five or more 3-pointers in four of his last five games, and the Rockets are without defensive stopper Dillon Brooks tonight.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Rockets vs Celtics spread and Over/Under analysis

It says everything about Boston’s homecourt dominance that the line has ballooned to a 15.5-point spread here, despite Houston making a solid leap this season.

That’s a lot of points to lay against a Rockets team that’s 21-15-1 ATS this year, but it’s worth noting that the visitors are just 4-12 on the road and have already lost in Chicago and Miami this month. Meanwhile, the Celtics have been unbeatable on their home floor.

Boston has also won five of the last six meetings between these teams and hasn’t lost at home to Houston since February 2020.

The Under is 8-2 in the teams’ past 10 matchups — and a line of 228.5 suggests a defense-first battle tonight. That makes sense when you consider that the Rockets and Celtics are both in the Top 6 in the fewest points allowed per game.

The line also likely factors in heavy legs for the Rockets after their starters logged big minutes in Detroit. Still, Boston has scored 120 points or more in its last four contests at TD Garden, and I envision the hosts posting a similar total here.

Rockets vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Celtics’ impressive record under Joe Mazzulla owes a lot to strong starts. Boston has cashed in the first-half moneyline in 66 of its last 87 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Celtics.

Rockets vs Celtics game info

Rockets vs Celtics latest injuries

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