The Celtics return from their 4 game Western road trip to take on the Houston Rockets. This is the second and final game between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first game 109-86 in Houston on January 3. The Celtics won the series 2-0 last season. They are 98-56 overall all time against the Rockets and they are 52-20 all time at home.
After a big off season last year where the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and several other veterans, they had a relatively quiet off season this year. They signed Aaron Holiday as a free agent. They exercised the team option on Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate. They signed Reed Sheppard, who was the #3 pick in the 2024 draft. They lost Reggie Bullock and Boban Marjanovic. Their starting lineup has been the same for the second year in a row.
The Celtics remain 2nd in the East, in spite of their recent struggles. They have moved to 4.5 games behind 1st place Cleveland, who have lost their last 3 games. They are 2 games ahead of 3rd place New York and 5.5 games ahead of 4th place Milwaukee. They are 15-8 at home and 6-4 in their last 10 games. They are 9-5 against Western Conference teams. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The Rockets are 2nd in the West, 6 games behind first place Oklahoma City. They are tied with 3rd place Memphis and 2.5 games ahead of 4th place Denver. They are 15-6 on the road and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They are 11-5 against Eastern Conference opponents. They have won their last 2 games, both of which were against the Cavaliers.
The Celtics are playing in the first game back at home after a 4 game road trip that started with a 40 point win over the Warriors and a 4 point win over the short handed LA Clippers along with a 21 point loss to the Lakers. They closed the road trip with a win over the Mavericks. Next, they will face Chicago at home before 3 more on the road through New Orleans, Philadelphia and Cleveland. Then one game at home against Dallas before playing at New York and Miami and home against San Antonio before the All Star Break.
The Rockets are coming off a home and home series against the Cavaliers where they won both games. This is the 2nd of a 4 game road trip for the Rockets that will continue through Atlanta and Memphis. They will face Brooklyn at home before another 4 game road trip through New York, Brooklyn, Minnesota, and Dallas. They will then host Toronto, Phoenix, and Golden State before the All Star Break.
The Celtics have 3 players on the injury list at this time. Derrick White is questionable with a shin injury that must have happened in the Dallas game. Sam Hauser is questionable with a hip impingement. Also, Al Horford is questionable with a toe sprain. Both are a game time decision. For the Rockets, Jabari Smith, Jr is out with a hand injury and Cam Whitmore is questionable with an illness.
Probable Celtics Starters
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Celtics ReservesLuke KornetPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaSam HauserBaylor ScheiermanJaden SpringerXavier Tillman, SrJordan Walsh
2 Way PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Injuries/OutDerrick White (shin) questionable Al Horford (toe) questionableSam Hauser (hip) questionable
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Probable Rockets Starters
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Rockets Reserves Steven AdamsJeff GreenAaron HolidayJock LandaleReed SheppardJae’Sean TateTari EasonJock Landale
2-Way Players N’Faly DanteJack McVeighNate Williams
Injuries/Out Cam Whitmore (illness) questionableJabari Smith, Jr (hand) out
Head CoachIme Udoka
Key Matchups
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Derrick White
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Jalen Green
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Derrick White vs Jalen GreenGreen is averaging 21.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He is shooting 43.2% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Green is the Rockets’ leading scorer and the Celtics need to be aware that he can put up a lot of points if not defended well. If White is out I expect Jaylen Brown to move to shooting guard.
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Kristaps Porzingis
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Alperen Sengun
Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Kristaps Porzingis vs Alperen SengunSengun is averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting 49.1% from the field and 23.4% from beyond the arc. Sengun is not a big threat from the perimeter, but he can hit 3’s if left open. The Celtics need to box out as he is a good rebounder. He is also a very physical player so they need to be ready for that.
Honorable Mention Jayson Tatum vs Amen Thompson Thompson is averaging 13.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He is shooting 55.6% from the field and 23.4% from beyond the arc. He is coming off a 23 point, 14 rebound, 10 assist triple double against the Cavaliers and is averaging 17.7 points in his last 10 games. He didn’t play in the first game between these two teams and the Celtics need to be ready to play good defense on him in this game.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always a key to winning. Players struggle on offense in some games, but they can always play defense. The Rockets are averaging 114.2 points per game (13th). The Celtics are averaging 117.3 points per game (4th). The Rockets are 4th with a defensive rating of 108.4 while the Celtics are 5th with a defensive rating of 109.6. The Celtics have to stick to their defensive identity in this one because the Rockets play tough defense and the Celtics can’t depend on a shoot out to win. Defense will likely determine the winner of this game.
Rebound – In order to score, the Celtics need the ball and to get the ball, they will need to crash the boards as a team. The Celtics average 45.1 rebounds per game (10th) while the Rockets average 48.4 rebounds per game (1st). Much of rebounding is effort and when the Celtics put out extra effort on the boards, it usually carries over into the rest of their game. The Rockets are 1st in the league with 17.6 second chance points per game. The Rockets are a very good rebounding team and so the Celtics must come into the game determined to put out extra effort and to hustle for every rebound to limit 2nd chance points for the Rockets.
Be Aggressive and Stay Focused – The Celtics have to be aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and not settling for 3 pointers on every possession, especially if the 3s aren’t falling. They also have to be aggressive in hustling for rebounds and for loose balls. And they have to be aggressive on defense. The Rockets win by playing hard and the Celtics have to play harder than the Rockets if they want to win this game. They also need to carry that aggressiveness through all 4 quarters with no let up. They also need to stay focused on taking good shots and making them. They have to keep their focus on playing team ball.
Be Consistent – The Celtics have been up and down now for most of the months of December and January. One game they lose to a team that they clearly should have beat. The next game they win in a blowout over a contender. One game they give up a big lead and lose down the stretch. The next game they come from behind to get a win. The Celtics need to get back to giving consistent effort every game and every quarter. No let up and no easy easy shots for their opponent.
X-Factors At Home After a Road Trip – The Celtics are at home where they have not been their best this season. already losing twice as many games at home than they did all last season. The Celtics have the crowd behind them and if they give a good effort, win or lose, the fans will cheer them on and help to motivate them. The first game at home after a road trip is always a tough game. The Celtics will need extra focus and effort to get a win in this one.
Coaching – The Rockets are led by former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who left Boston under less than desirable circumstances. He was suspended for violating team rules and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla was made interim coach. Eventually, Udoka was officially released and Mazzulla was made head coach. I am sure that Udoka would love nothing more than to beat the team that let him go after he led that team to the Finals. He will also have his team motivated to avenge 2 losses to the Celtics last season and one more in Houston this season
Officiating – The officiating is always an x-factor. Some referees call the game tight and others let them play. Some favor the home team and others call it evenly. The Celtics have to play through whatever calls go against them and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus on the game.
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