Pro Hoops Betting - Celtics vs Rockets

Looking for a smart play in Friday night’s betting odds? You’ve come to the right place, as we get set to break down the battle between the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets.

Boston Celtics (43-24 SU, 27-39-1 ATS) at Houston Rockets (35-31 SU, 31-35 ATS)

Friday, March 19: 8:30 p.m. NBA TV

: Boston -2

Here are some NBA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

Boston: 3-2-1 ATS in their last 6
Boston: Total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 6 games

Houston: 5-1 SU in their last 6 games
Houston: 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games

The Rockets come into this game desperate to start accumulating wins, as they are currently on the outside looking in on the Western Conference playoff race.

Despite not having center Yao Ming this season, Houston has played admirably, as several players have filled in for the 7’5 Chinese center. No player deserves more credit for Houston’s success than power forward Luis Scola. While Scola’s talent doesn’t jump out at you at first glance, the Argentine is simply one of the steadiest players in the league. He comes into Friday night’s affair averaging 15 points and nine rebounds a game, and has been a steady force, in a whacky season in Houston. The Rockets also rely heavily on guard Kevin Martin, who came over in a trade deadline blockbuster. He averages a team-high 22.9 points per game.

As for Boston, they come into this game struggling, despite what their record may indicate otherwise. They are just 3-3 in their last six games, with things only getting tougher as they head to Dallas and Utah coming up. There is no margin for error against a Houston team they should beat Friday.

Boston’s biggest problem of late has been the inconsistency of their veterans- Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett- who have both been hampered by injuries in 2010. The two combined for over 51 points in a win over New York Wednesday, but that’s hardly been the norm this year. Garnett is averaging just 14 points a game on the season, well below his career average.

However, when evaluating the big picture with Boston, they really just haven’t been that good against the upper half of the league of late, a problem which could haunt them in Friday night’s betting odds. Look closely at their schedule. Sure they’ve won three of their last four games, but those were also against league doormats Indiana, Detroit and New York. When they’ve played playoff caliber teams, they’ve been losing, including an embarrassing display in Cleveland on Sunday.

The Celtics come into this game looking for a positive result, but it’s hard to see them getting one. The Rockets are the exact type of team that gives them trouble, not necessarily the most talented, but one that plays hard for 48 minutes, and wears you down on both the offensive and defensive ends.

Because of that, make Houston your play Friday night.