7.05pm ET
Houston Rockets @ Boston Celtics
The Houston Rockets tonight seek revenge for a recent home loss when they travel to Boston to take on the Celtics.
The Rockets are 21-16 overall to be tied for fourth in the Midwest. Prior to their loss to Boston at the weekend, Houston had won three straight at home by an average of more than 15 points per game. They were also coming off of a dominant 111-79 win over the Knicks in Jeff Van Gundy's nationally televised return to Madison Square Garden. The Rockets started slowly against the Celtics and were forced to play catch-up the entire game.
"First of all, we didn't come out prepared at the beginning of the game," Steve Francis said. "And second of all, our shot selection was horrible, especially at crucial times."
Coach Van Gundy was upset at his team's lack of defensive intensity. "If you're going to defend a team like Boston effectively, it starts with making multiple efforts on many possessions," Van Gundy said. "We didn't even get a first effort. If you need multiple efforts and you don't get a first effort, it makes it very difficult to defend."
Houston have covered five of their last seven on the road including 4 SU wins. Last night they played at Washington and handed the Wizards a 93-80 loss. The Rockets shot 52% from the floor and that kind of FG% will win almost any game they play in thanks to their stellar defense. In a solid all-round team effort they had four starters score at least 16 points and Steve Francis was two rebounds shy of a triple-double.
Overall this season Houston are 6-2 ATS against Atlantic division opponents and have won seven of nine road games against Eastern Conference foes.
Meantime the Celtics are an even 20-20 SU this season to be one of just two teams in the Atlantic division with a winning record. They had won three straight before losing 111-103 last night at Milwaukee. Although Boston are 19-21 ATS overall they have been costly for their backers at home, going 10-11 SU and just 8-13 ATS.
The Rockets are 7-2 ATS this season playing the second of back-to-back games while the Celtics are 4-3 in the same situation.
Houston had won and covered five straight against Boston prior to their weekend loss and we expect them to get back to their winning ways in this series tonight.
Recommended Play: Houston -1.5
Houston Rockets @ Boston Celtics
The Houston Rockets tonight seek revenge for a recent home loss when they travel to Boston to take on the Celtics.
The Rockets are 21-16 overall to be tied for fourth in the Midwest. Prior to their loss to Boston at the weekend, Houston had won three straight at home by an average of more than 15 points per game. They were also coming off of a dominant 111-79 win over the Knicks in Jeff Van Gundy's nationally televised return to Madison Square Garden. The Rockets started slowly against the Celtics and were forced to play catch-up the entire game.
"First of all, we didn't come out prepared at the beginning of the game," Steve Francis said. "And second of all, our shot selection was horrible, especially at crucial times."
Coach Van Gundy was upset at his team's lack of defensive intensity. "If you're going to defend a team like Boston effectively, it starts with making multiple efforts on many possessions," Van Gundy said. "We didn't even get a first effort. If you need multiple efforts and you don't get a first effort, it makes it very difficult to defend."
Houston have covered five of their last seven on the road including 4 SU wins. Last night they played at Washington and handed the Wizards a 93-80 loss. The Rockets shot 52% from the floor and that kind of FG% will win almost any game they play in thanks to their stellar defense. In a solid all-round team effort they had four starters score at least 16 points and Steve Francis was two rebounds shy of a triple-double.
Overall this season Houston are 6-2 ATS against Atlantic division opponents and have won seven of nine road games against Eastern Conference foes.
Meantime the Celtics are an even 20-20 SU this season to be one of just two teams in the Atlantic division with a winning record. They had won three straight before losing 111-103 last night at Milwaukee. Although Boston are 19-21 ATS overall they have been costly for their backers at home, going 10-11 SU and just 8-13 ATS.
The Rockets are 7-2 ATS this season playing the second of back-to-back games while the Celtics are 4-3 in the same situation.
Houston had won and covered five straight against Boston prior to their weekend loss and we expect them to get back to their winning ways in this series tonight.
Recommended Play: Houston -1.5
