The set-up: Houston has lost 18 of its last 20. The Rockets have plenty of issues, and they have since Day 1. Houston averages 107.3 PPG this year, while allowing 113.6. Christian Wood and John Wall are a solid core to build around though and they'll each be out to try and pull off an upset here vs. the 23-25 Celtics.

The pick: Boston was picked by some to come out of the East as top dog, but the C's are in rebuilding mode themselves. The Celtics average 112.2 PPG, while allowing 111.3. These teams have played to several "unders" of late, but with each pushing the pace as I expect from the opening tip until the final horn, it sets up great from a situational stand point, for this one to fly "over" the number sooner, rather than later.

This is a 10* NON-CONFERENCE TOTAL BEST OF THE BEST on the OVER Houston/Boston.