Boston at Houston

Boston beat Orlando 108-97 in a Sunday matinee while shooting 27.3% from three, and the 205 combined points were the fewest in any of its six games. The Celtics forced 18 Magic turnovers and won on the glass. Their only other game under 215 combined was the 107-103 win over the Knicks on October 23, played at a pace of 92.2 possessions. Houston is 6-1 and has scored 120 or more in four of its seven games. Boston has scored 125 or more in three of six. Boston held Chicago to 99 on October 26 and Orlando to 97 on Sunday. Houston held Milwaukee to 100 on Wednesday, and Oklahoma City to 98 on Saturday, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the only Thunder player above 11 points in that one. Houston has allowed 108.3 points a game over seven games, and Boston 109.2 over six. I am building this on those defensive results. Steven Adams is out with a calf strain, so the Rockets' frontline rotation is thinner than the one that produced those defensive games. At a minus price, our bankroll needs this to land more than half the time. Houston's last game finished at 217 combined points, so the UNDER is the bet tonight.