Does home court alone give Boston the edge in the February 29th Rockets at Celtics betting pick? Brad Stevens’ team will be playing their 1st game at TD Garden in 16 days when they host Houston on Saturday night. Boston is 23-5 at home this season, including 6-1 ATS over the last 7.
Of course Houston is no slouch coming into this contest. The Rockets have rattled off 4 straight double-digit wins since returning from the all-star break. Houston’s new small ball lineup has made their back court un-guardable and the team has put up more than 135 points twice in the last 4 games.
Rockets Thriving In Their New Approach
The Rockets have fine-tuned their small ball approach over the all-star break and it has worked dividends for them. Houston has gone 4-0 since the break, scoring at least 120 points in each game. That being said, the opponents haven’t been the best though in Golden State, Utah, New York, and Memphis.
Does the Boston defense finally put the clamps on Houston’s offense in the February 29th Celtics at Rockets betting pick? James Harden and Russell Westbrook combined for 63 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 140-112 win over Memphis on Wednesday.
Boston ranks 19th defensively vs. the SG, but #1 against opposing PGs. That being said, Harden and Westbrook totaled 78 point when they beat Boston in Houston February 11th as -2.5 favorites. Eric Gordon is a key to stretching opposing defenses, but he missed the last game vs. the Grizzlies and is questionable in the February 29th Celtics at Rockets betting pick.
Boston Ready to Roll Back Home?
The Celtics will be playing their first home game since the all-star break on Saturday, looking to build on a very successful 23-5 resume on their own court. The C’s had a very impressive 3-1 road trip to the West Coast that just wrapped up.
Boston’s lone loss on the stretch out West was by 2 at the Lakers as +7.5 underdogs. The C’s most recent win came Wednesday, 114-103 at Utah as +5 point underdogs and on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The biggest key to the Celtics continuing to put pressure on Toronto for the #2 seed in the East has been Jayson Tatum. The Boston SF has tallied 33+ points in three straight games as Boston gets through in the absence of Kemba Walker (knee). Jaylen Brown also has 20+ points in each of last four games. Houston ranks 24th dVp against PFs and 28th against the SF position.
February 29th Rockets at Celtics Betting Pick
This game is shaping up to be a good one on Saturday night in Boston. The Rockets have actually won four straight in the series but have a tough challenge on the road here. Houston has looked great since the all-star break, but that’s been against mostly sub-par competition. The Rockets can prove their legitimacy with a win here and the C’s are just a bit shorthanded without Walker in the lineup.
Pick: Houston Rockets +1.5
