Celtics vs. Rockets Recap: Sengun Powers Houston, Seven Plays Cash

Houston beat Boston 109-93 on Monday night. The first quarter ended 29-29, then the Rockets took the second 28-21 to lead 57-50 at the half. They won each of the last two quarters as well, and Boston never held a lead. Seven DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game: the Rockets moneyline, two on Alperen Sengun, and one each on Jabari Smith Jr., Marcus Smart, Reed Sheppard and Payton Pritchard.

What cashed

Rockets moneyline (-196 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Houston had won 8 of its last 10 and 6 of 7 at home this season. With Adams out and Capela and Sheppard questionable, we rated it a notch lower. - What happened: The Rockets won by 16. Adams and Capela did not play, and Houston still shot 43-of-79 with 34 assists. - Worth watching: Home form held up even short in the frontcourt. Price is the question at -196.

Alperen Sengun 24+ points + assists (-118 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Sengun cleared 24+ P+A in 8 of his last 10 and 14 of his last 20. The -118 price implied 54% against about 72% recent. - What happened: He scored 26 on 12-of-15 shooting and handed out 10 assists for 36, clearing by 12.5. - Worth watching: With Adams and Capela out, Sengun played 38 minutes. That workload supports his combo lines.

Alperen Sengun 33+ points + rebounds + assists (-112 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: He cleared 33+ PRA in all 5 games this season, averaging 39.2. - What happened: 26 points, 7 rebounds and 10 assists made 43 PRA, clearing by 10.5. - Worth watching: He has cleared this number every game so far, yet the price stayed near even.

Jabari Smith Jr. 12+ points (-249 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Jabari had 12+ points in 9 of his last 10, including 5 of 5 in his last five and 6 of 7 this season. - What happened: He scored 14 on 5-of-10 shooting and 4-of-5 from three, clearing by 2.5. He also pulled 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. - Worth watching: Thirty-six minutes and efficient three-point volume keep his points floor in a good spot.

ALT: Marcus Smart 12+ points + rebounds + assists (-116 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Smart cleared 12+ PRA in 8 of his last 10 and 16 of his last 20. The -116 price implied 54% vs about 76% recent. - What happened: He had 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists for 16 PRA, clearing by 4.5 in 20 minutes. - Worth watching: He shot 2-of-10 and still cleared. A spread-out PRA line protects against a cold shooting night.

ALT: Reed Sheppard 2+ made threes (-102 at FanDuel): CASHED - Our read: Sheppard cleared 2+ threes in 8 of his last 10 and 17 of his last 20. The -102 price implied 50% against about 78% recent. - What happened: He made 2 of his 4 attempts from deep in 17 minutes, clearing by 0.5. - Worth watching: He was listed questionable pregame and played limited minutes. Check his role before the next one.

Payton Pritchard 3+ assists (-328 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Pritchard had 3+ assists in 9 of his last 10, with 5 of 5 in his last five. - What happened: He finished with exactly 3 assists in 30 minutes, clearing by 0.5. His shot was off: 0-of-7 from the field. - Worth watching: The assist line held on a night his scoring did not. That is the case for low assist props on a guard with steady minutes.

How the game played out

Boston shot 32-of-83 and 12-of-42 from three. Jayson Tatum had 19 points and 9 assists, and Neemias Queta added 16 on 6-of-7 shooting. Houston outscored Boston 50-34 in the paint and 18-2 on the fast break, and led by as many as 18.

Trends to watch

• Sengun played 38 minutes with 10 assists while Adams and Capela sat. His P+A and PRA lines stay worth a look while that frontcourt is thin.
• Houston had 34 assists on 43 baskets. Passing props on Sengun and Fred VanVleet, who had 9, fit that flow.
• Pritchard played 30 minutes off the bench. That volume is what keeps a low assist line in play.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. See our guides on moneylines, player props and implied probability, or visit the NBA hub.