[mofome]

On the heals of their huge comeback against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics have little time to relax. Tonight the Eastern Conference leaders take the best record in the NBA to Houston where they’ll run into one of the hottest teams in NBA history. The early line on this event was five, but it’s down to four and a half as most of the betting public likes the Celtics to keep this one close.

Last night, in San Antonio, the Celts found themselves down 17 points after the first quarter and whispers of Western Conference dominance were back in our ears; that quickly changed as Boston outscored the defending champs in each of the following three quarters on their way to their 53rd win. The loss of Ray Allen is a substantial one, but the recent addition of Sam Cassell has proved invaluable as he’s shot over 50% in the last couple games with Allen out. If Allen is out again tonight, which he figures to be, Sam will once again need to log 20 or more quality minutes if the Celts hope to go 2-0 in the Lonestar state.

A bit more rested, Houston had a day off following their dismantling of the Los Angels Lakers. In that game the Rockets were able to take over sole possession of first place in the West despite an off night from Tracy McGrady. Without getting their typical production from T-Mac, Houston leaned on Rafer Alston’s eight treys and 38 points to put away the Lake Show. Tonight will be a chance for the Rockets to legitimize their streak which has been downplayed by many due to the lack of quality opposition over the 22 game span. Even in beating the Lakers, the critics were quick to point out that Paul Gasol was out and it’s a certainty that Ray Allen’s injury will hamstring the value of a win tonight should they find a way to get it. However, the Rockets are concerned with nothing more than winning the West. Alston points out, "We're only like 1 1/2 games ahead of a couple of teams. If we keep winning and if other teams continue to lose, we widen the gap. So, every game is important until we have a three- or four-game cushion on these guys."

The C’s have only been underdogs by more than four once, and that was last night. Each of these teams comes in hot as the Rockets have covered 18 of their last 20 while Boston has cashed in seven of eight. Boston played last night, but they’ve had success this year on the second night of their back-to-backs, logging a 13-2 overall record and going 10-4 ATS in those spots. When these two teams met in January the Celtics used a dominant first quarter to separate themselves and held on through the games final 36 minutes to get the win. T-Mac did not suit up in that contest and Boston knocked down 52% from the field.

Boston averages 101 points on the road and their games hit 192 points a contest on zero days rest. This game should have a playoff feel for the fans, as the best from each Conference collide in Houston, but the players should be loose with each team feeling that winning will be an upset.

Free Play: Boston/Houston over 181

[Shark79]

I took the Celts at +5

Will put some in for the OVER as well

[Iwinyourmoney]

Boston +2.5 1st half

[mofome]

gl with the celts boys

[BigBollocks]

Might make a small stakes play on the Rockets. On full rest I it'd be a horrible matchup for the Rockets, but I'm counting on the energy the C's put into beating the Spurs hurting them in the 2nd leg of their back to back Texas swing.

[mofome]

got a point and a half on my total.

[Shark79]

Originally Posted by mofome

gl with the celts boys

Likewise Mo!!

[SBR Lou]

I believed that a team nobody expected to would end the streak a while ago, but after that didn't happen, I said OK- The Lakers or Celtics will be the one to stop it. I'm sticking by that, tonight the record should fall.

[WestsidePete]

4th game in 5 days...no Ray Allen and beat SA last night so they have won in Texas already and Hou can't afford a loss in the West...Boston can in the East..

Hou -4.5 for me

[Jingles77777]

To say the truth I dunno what to bet. Even though Rockets are the hottest team right now, Celts have some guys to cover Tracy. After yesterday winning over Spurs, though they were down to 17 points, I see Boston is solid team. In my opinion they are the team to win here tonight. But.. it is hard to bet against Rockets now.. So Houston -4.5

[mofome]

Originally Posted by Jingles77777

To say the truth I dunno what to bet. Even though Rockets are the hottest team right now, Celts have some guys to cover Tracy. After yesterday winning over Spurs, though they were down to 17 points, I see Boston is solid team. In my opinion they are the team to win here tonight. But.. it is hard to bet against Rockets now.. So Houston -4.5

welcome to the forum, Jingles, gl tonight.

[Jingles77777]

Ey thank you, I have watched this forum for a week, now I decided to sign up and participate. Really like that guys!

[Shark79]

Welcome aboard Jingles!! Too bad u started with the wrong team .. LOL

GL to you !!

[mofome]

got some 183s out there now.

[ryanXL977]

i think the under is gonna happen
just my .02

[RealSlimShady]

No opinion on this game, but I think Houston will get hammered by the Warriors later this week and the streak will end there if it doesn't end sooner.

[mofome]

matchbook has -123 on each side of 183

[Poker_Beast]

Houston to win again!!!

Go Rockets!

[Salcas]

got the celtics +8

[Shark79]

Originally Posted by Salcas

got the celtics +8

+8 ????

[Salcas]

Originally Posted by Shark79

+8 ????

Ya, got them in a 4pt teaser

[ryanXL977]

maybe i will tease mavs-.5 and celts+9.5
that seems legit

[habgeschloss]

At bet365 you take Boston +12 if you wish

[Iwinyourmoney]

Originally Posted by Salcas

got the celtics +8

did u buy 3.5 points?

[Salcas]

Originally Posted by Iwinyourmoney

did u buy 3.5 points?

No, 4

[ryanXL977]

so you are predicting celts lose by 7?

[Salcas]

Originally Posted by ryanXL977

so you are predicting celts lose by 7?

I predict celtics will lose by 5 or 6 but just to be safe I took the couple extra points

[ryanXL977]

ah
well, my qustion is this, why not bet a lot on houston ml instead of celts+ pts?

[Salcas]

Originally Posted by ryanXL977

ah
well, my qustion is this, why not bet a lot on houston ml instead of celts+ pts?

Well anything can happen so I stayed away from the ML here..but like I said i do predict the celtics to lose the game, but my prediction isnt always right.

I just feel celtics + the points is the safest way to go

[Salcas]

Did i say +8...i meant +9

[ryanXL977]

im with you salcas
i think celts can win
of course, i think houston will lose everyday, i just dont get how they do it.
FK houston

[Salcas]

Originally Posted by ryanXL977

im with you salcas
i think celts can win
of course, i think houston will lose everyday, i just dont get how they do it.
FK houston

Ya man, well celtics would be the team to do it if anyone is...so well see what happens

[TexansFan]

Can't bet when it's the home team. I'm gonna sit back and just hopefully enjoy this game. People who don't watch the Rocket's on a regular basis will be impressed with their defense. In my opinion they are playing better without Yao than when he was in.

[mundane]

match up problems for houston - 3/4 of 5 spots!

boston tired? houston rested? hmmm look at this stat - boston when playing on back-to-back days 10-4.

boston (#1 seed @east) not playing for anything? datz bullcrap! they need to keep playing competitively on the road and esp when they're trying to incorporate cassell on their lineup. and what better way to do it other than at houston and end rockets' streak at the same time! think about it.

boston to win by 6+ pts.

[Shark79]

Originally Posted by TexansFan

Can't bet when it's the home team. I'm gonna sit back and just hopefully enjoy this game. People who don't watch the Rocket's on a regular basis will be impressed with their defense. In my opinion they are playing better without Yao than when he was in.

Would u consider Mutombo being the reason to there dfense?