<p>At 8:00 ET, the Boston Celtics (-145) will travel to Houston to take on the Rockets (+124) in a non-conference matchup. The Celtics are currently favored by 3 and have a record of 25-9, which is good for 2nd in the Eastern Conference. Houston is 3rd in the West with a record of 22-11.</p>

<p>This game will be played at the Toyota Center and can be seen on NBCS. The over/under line for the game is 220.5.</p><h3>BOSTON CELTICS VS HOUSTON ROCKETS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Boston Celtics -3</p><p>This game will be played at Toyota Center at 8:00 ET on Friday, January 3rd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE BOSTON CELTICS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 141-121 in favor of the Celtics.</li><li>Our projections have Jayson Tatum finishing with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Celtics finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 20 threes.</li></ul><h3>Do the Celtics Have a Shot at a Road Win?</h3><p>With a 118-115 win over the Timberwolves on Thursday, the Celtics improved to 25-9 this season. Boston, favored by 3 points, pushed the spread, while the game’s total of 233 points went over the 215.5-point line by 17.5 points.</p> <p>After trailing 35-28 in the 1st quarter, Boston took control by outscoring Minnesota 34-16 in the 2nd quarter. The Timberwolves fought back, winning the 3rd quarter 34-29, but Boston held a 91-85 lead going into the 4th. Despite being outscored 30-27 in the final period, the Celtics held on for the win.</p><p>Jayson Tatum's 33 points and 9 assists led the Celtics to a 118-115 win over the Timberwolves, with Tatum hitting 6 threes despite shooting just 35.3% from deep. Derrick White added 26 points, knocking down 5 threes at a 50% clip, and Sam Hauser also hit 5 threes, finishing with 15 points.</p> <p>Boston connected on 22 threes, shooting 38.6% from beyond the arc and 50% overall. Tatum scored 16 points in the 3rd quarter, while White delivered 13 points in the 4th.</p><p>The Celtics gave up 115 points to the Timberwolves but still managed to win. Their best defensive effort came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed just 16 points, but they struggled in the 1st and 3rd quarters, giving up 35 and 34 points, respectively.</p> <p>Boston's defense allowed Minnesota to shoot 50% from the field, including 53% from three-point range, where the Timberwolves hit 21 threes. The Celtics also sent Minnesota to the line 22 times, where they made 20 free throws. Boston finished with 9 steals and 4 blocks.</p><h3>Does Houston Have What it Takes to Win as Home Underdogs?</h3><p>With a 110-99 win over the Mavericks on Wednesday, the Rockets improved to 22-11 this season. Houston, favored by 4.5 points, covered the spread at home. The game’s total points of 209 fell short of the 221 O/U line.</p> <p>A key 13-0 run helped the Rockets take control, turning a 44-42 lead into 55-44. Houston outscored Dallas 37-22 in the 2nd quarter and entered the 4th quarter with an 89-75 lead, holding off the Mavericks’ late push.</p><p>Alperen Sengün led the Rockets with 23 points and 6 rebounds in their 110-99 win over the Mavericks, shooting 56.2% from the field. Jalen Green added 22 points, while Dillon Brooks contributed 19 points, hitting 3 threes at a 37.5% clip.</p> <p>Houston shot 47.2% overall, but struggled from deep, making just 8 threes at 32%. Cam Whitmore scored 13 of his 18 points in the 2nd quarter, and Sengün added 9 in the period.</p><p>Despite allowing the Mavericks to shoot 53% from the field, the Rockets held them to 99 points in their win on Wednesday, thanks to strong defensive efforts in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, where they gave up just 22 and 23 points, respectively. Houston also limited Dallas to 11 made three-pointers on 39% shooting from deep.</p> <p>The Rockets sent the Mavericks to the free-throw line 16 times, where they converted 8 attempts. Houston controlled the boards, allowing just 6 offensive rebounds while collecting 31 defensive boards. They also racked up 17 steals in the game.</p>

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