The Boston Celtics (32-17) and Houston Rockets (31-18) are set to face off at the Toyota Center on Wednesday. Both teams are among the top teams in their respective conferences, and the visitors made an ambitious move on Tuesday when they acquired a new big man in C Nikola Vucevic ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Below, we'll preview the game and break down our Celtics vs. Rockets prediction and spread on PrizePicks for today, including for SG-SF Jaylen Brown and SF-PF Kevin Durant.
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Celtics vs. Rockets Prediction, Spread
The Celtics didn’t kick off the 2025-26 season with the best outlook. Boston lost PF Jayson Tatum to a torn Achilles during last year’s playoffs and shipped off key pieces in PG Jrue Holiday and C Kristaps Porzingis ahead of their current campaign. Tatum is reportedly considering returning to the hardwood this season, but the C’s have performed at a high level without their leading scorer from 2024-25 so far.
Boston ranks third in the Eastern Conference, and Brown’s emergence as a true first option has played a major role in its success. The former Cal Golden Bear’s career-high averages of 29.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists have been crucial to securing wins.
The Celtics’ team defense has arguably been just as impressive, though. Boston is giving up the second-fewest points per game (108.9) so far this season. (Only the Oklahoma City Thunder are giving up fewer points per contest (107.7) to opposing teams.) The Celtics’ ability to generate stops has been their calling card so far this season, and could be the most important part of their game plan ahead of their impending meeting with Houston.
The new-look Rockets likely traded for Durant over the offseason in an attempt to supercharge their offense, but have actually stood out as one of the league’s best rebounding and defensive teams. Houston boasts a top-five scoring defense and remains unrivaled on the glass.
The Rockets average a league-high 49.4 rebounds per game and limit opponents to a league-low 39.3 points per outing. Their length and physicality have been a major strength that they should continue to capitalize on against Boston. Whether they can keep up that dominance with C Steven Adams out for the year with an ankle injury remains to be seen, though.
Celtics vs. Rockets Over/Under, Spread
The Rockets are 6.5-point favorites, returning a 1.44x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
The Celtics will return a 2.56x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.
- Spread: Rockets -6.5
- Over/Under: 213.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Celtics 2.56x | Rockets 1.44x
(Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.)
Celtics vs. Rockets Injury Report
Let’s dive into the full Celtics vs. Rockets injury report for Tuesday, via NBA.com.
Celtics Injury Report
- PF Jayson Tatum (Achilles) – OUT
Rockets Injury Report
- PG Fred VanVleet (knee) – OUT
- C Steven Adams (ankle) – OUT
- SF-PF Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) – OUT
- SF-PF Kevin Durant (ankle) – probable
Celtics vs. Rockets Numbers to Know
Here are some facts and figures to help you make your Celtics vs. Rockets prediction against the spread today on PrizePicks Team Picks.
- The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in four of their previous five games.
- Boston is 6-3 against the spread as a road underdog.
- The Celtics are 5-3 against the spread with no rest.
- Boston is 16-10 against the spread on the road.
- The Celtics lead the NBA in road triples (15.8) made per game.
Celtics vs. Rockets Player Picks for PrizePicks Today
Here are two of the top Celtics vs. Rockets picks on PrizePicks Player Picks for today. Player projections via the PrizePicks real money NBA game.
Celtics SG-SF Jaylen Brown vs. Rockets Projection: 29.5 Points
- Brown scored a season-low 12 points in his first meeting with Houston this season.
- Houston allows the fourth-fewest made 3-pointers (12.1) per game.
- The home team allows the second-fewest made free throws (16.6) per game.
- The Rockets are giving up the third-fewest points per game (107.8) at home.
Rockets SF-PF Kevin Durant vs. Celtics: 24.5 Points
- Durant has averaged 30.3 points per game against the Celtics over his previous three seasons.
- The Rockets’ leading scorer averages at least 25.0 points at home and on the road.
- The Slim Reaper attempted a season-high 20.0 field goals per contest in January.
- The Texas product attempted (7.3) and made (2.7) more triples per game than he has all season last month.
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Make Celtics vs. Rockets NBA Picks on PrizePicks
Houston blew out Boston earlier this season at TD Garden, and now the two teams will face off for the second time this year at the Toyota Center on Wednesday. Jaylen Brown and Kevin Durant might be in for a shootout in the second installment of this pairing.
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