Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Preview and Prediction - Nov. 1 | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics matchup is one of six games scheduled for Saturday. The Rockets are ninth in the West with a 2-2 record, while the Celtics are sixth in the East with a 3-3 record.

The two teams have faced each other in 155 regular-season games, with Boston holding a lopsided 98-57 lead. They faced off twice last season and split the series.

Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Preview, Odds, Betting Tips and Prediction

Money line: Rockets -210, Celtics +200

Spread: Rockets -5.5 (-109), Celtics +5.5 (+100)

Total over/under (o/u): Rockets o227 (-110), Celtics u227 (-103)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Preview

The Rockets finally got their season on track with two straight wins after dropping the opening two games. They most recently defeated the Toronto Raptors 139-121 on Wednesday. Before that, they blew away the Brooklyn Nets 137-109 on Monday.

In Wednesday’s win, Kevin Durant led the team in scoring with 31 points, while Jabari Smith Jr. had 25 points. Alperen Sengun missed a triple-double with 18 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.

Houston has been forced to start Amen Thompson at point guard after Fred VanVleet suffered a torn ACL in the offseason. Dorian Finney-Smith is out for Saturday’s game with an ankle injury.

The Celtics started their 2025 NBA Emirates Cup campaign with a 109-108 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 32 points, while Derrick White and Payton Pritchard had 15 points each.

Boston will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back, so expect some tired legs. The team is also without Jayson Tatum who recovers from an Achilles tear from the past offseason. While the team hasn’t ruled him out for the season yet, there’s no fixed timeline for his return either.

Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Starting 5s

Rockets

PG - Amen Thompson, SG - Josh Okogie, SF - Kevin Durant, PF - Jabari Smith Jr., C - Alperen Sengun

Celtics

PG - Derrick White, SG - Payton Pritchard, SF - Jaylen Brown, PF - Josh Minott, C - Neemias Queta

Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Betting Tips

Neemias Queta is favored to score over 7.5 points.

Derrick White is projected to score under 19.5 points.

Alperen Sengun is projected to have under 6.5 assists.

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Prediction and Betting Tips

The oddsmakers favor the Rockets to get a win on the road Saturday. We expect the same as the Celtics will play for the second straight night and are without their best player. Houston should cover the spread for a win in a low-scoring game where the team total stays under 227 points.