Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics 3 November 2026 Prediction

Houston vs Boston is an early test for both teams. Ime Udoka’s Rockets host his former club, which has won four straight games. Houston has won six of its first seven.

Houston Routs Oklahoma City

After a 116-111 loss to Dallas, Houston bounced back the next day with a 119-98 win over Oklahoma City. The Rockets managed without Fred VanVleet, who has been sitting out the second game of back-to-backs since his knee injury. Marcus Smart, starting in his place, made seven of 10 three-point attempts. Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 30 points.

Alperen Sengun also returned after missing two games with lower-back pain. The center nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Durant has scored 22 points or fewer in five of his last six games.

Houston Predicted Lineup: VanVleet, Thompson, Durant, Smith Jr., Sengun

Full Roster: Guards: Bogdanovic, Copeland, Smart, Thornton, Sheppard; forwards: Eason, Crawford, Tate, Phillips; centers: Adams, Capela, Tshiebwe

Out: None

Manager: Ime Udoka

Pritchard Scores 30-Plus for Boston

Joe Mazzulla’s Celtics have won four straight. On Friday, they beat Chicago for the second time in a week, 125-111, after taking a 29-point lead into halftime. Payton Pritchard scored at least 30 points for the first time since April.

“Payton gets better every year, and there’s no ceiling for him. Today you saw the best version of him: a player who contributes at both ends of the floor and does more than just score. I enjoy pushing him, coaching him, and I love him like a brother,” Mazzulla said.

Boston plays in Orlando on Monday night before traveling to Houston for the second game of a back-to-back. The Celtics struggled in their previous back-to-back, needing overtime to beat Brooklyn 125-124.

Boston Predicted Lineup: White, George, Walsh, Tatum, Robinson

Full Roster: Guards: Gonzalez, Conley, Pritchard, Scheierman; forwards: Garza, Mitchell, Senac Jr., Harper, Hauser; centers: Queta, Williams

Out: Carter (illness)

Manager: Joe Mazzulla

Road Teams Won Both Meetings Last Season

The teams split their two meetings in the 2025-26 regular season. Houston won 128-101 in Boston, while the Celtics won 114-93 in Houston.

Houston vs Boston Prediction: Houston Handicap -4.5

Main prediction: Houston has had time to prepare at home since Saturday’s win over Oklahoma City. Boston, meanwhile, faces a trip from Orlando and may need to adjust its lineup for the second game of a back-to-back. The Celtics needed overtime to beat Brooklyn in that situation last time. The pick is Houston -4.5.

Total points prediction: Houston held Oklahoma City to 98 points on Saturday and has allowed no more than 114 in four of its last five regular-season games. Boston may also favor a slower pace on the second night of a back-to-back. The teams combined for 207 points in their last game in Houston, so the pick is under 225.5 points.