The Celtics transfer on to the second recreation of their 4 recreation Western journey as they go to Houston to tackle the Rockets. That is the primary of two video games towards the Rockets this season. They may face off for a second time on January 27 in Boston. The Celtics gained the collection 2-0 final season. The Celtics are 97-56 general all time towards the Rockets and they’re 41-34 all time in video games performed in Houston.
The Celtics are 2nd within the East, 4.5 video games behind first place Cleveland, who’ve gained 8 video games in a row. They’re simply 1 recreation forward of the New York Knicks, who’ve gained 9 straight video games. The Celtics are 12-3 on the street and 6-4 of their final 10 video games. They’re 3-2 towards Western Convention opponents they usually have gained their final 2 video games.
The Rockets are third within the West, 6 video games behind first place Oklahoma Metropolis, who’ve gained 12 straight video games. They’re 1 recreation behind 2nd place Memphis and they’re 1.5 video games forward of the 4th place Dallas Mavericks. They’re 11-5 at dwelling and 6-4 of their final 10 video games. They’re 8-3 towards Jap Convention opponents and, after 2 straight losses, gained their final recreation.
After a giant off season final yr the place the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and a number of other different veterans, they’d a comparatively quiet off season this yr. They signed Aaron Vacation as a free agent. They exercised the staff possibility on Jeff Inexperienced and Jae’Sean Tate. They signed Reed Sheppard, who was the #3 decide within the 2024 draft. They misplaced Reggie Bullock and Boban Marjanovic. Their beginning lineup has been the identical for the second yr in a row.
The Celtics simply accomplished a 4 recreation dwelling stand the place they beat the Pacers and Raptors and misplaced to the Pacers and 76ers. That is the second recreation of a 4 recreation Western street journey that began with a win in Minnesota on Thursday, and can proceed by way of Oklahoma Metropolis and Denver. They may return dwelling to face 2 extra Western Convention groups, Sacramento and New Orleans. They then head to Toronto to face the Raptors once more for the third time..
That is the third recreation of a 5 recreation dwelling stand for the Rockets. They misplaced the primary two video games to Minnesota and Miami after which beat Dallas within the recreation earlier than this one. They may shut out the house stand towards the Lakers. They then head out on a 3 recreation street journey by way of Washington, Memphis, and Atlanta earlier than a house recreation towards Memphis. Then, they play at Denver, Sacramento and Portland.
Jaylen Brown missed Thursday’s recreation with a shoulder damage he sustained within the Raptors recreation. He’s listed as out for this recreation and I’m guessing that Sam Hauser will substitute him within the beginning lineup. Kristaps Porzingis missed his 4th straight recreation with a sprained ankle on Thursday. Porzingis is listed as obtainable for this recreation and will begin on this recreation. Al Horford is out for relaxation, as anticipated.
For the Rockets, Tari Eason is uncertain with a leg damage. Jock Landale is questionable with a knee damage. Jabari Smith, Jr. was a late addition to the damage record for the Rockets. He broke his left hand right now and can be evaluated in 4-6 weeks. Tari Eason is subsequent on their depth chart at energy ahead. Since he’s uncertain, I’m guessing that Cam Whitmore will get the beginning in Smith’s place.
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Possible Celtics Starters
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Celtics ReservesLuke KornetPayton PritchardNeemias QuetaBaylor ScheiermanJaden SpringerXavier Tillman, SrJordan Walsh
2 Method PlayersJD DavisonDrew PetersonAnton Watson
Accidents/OutKristaps Porzingis (ankle) availableJaylen Brown (shoulder) outAl Horford (relaxation) out
Head CoachJoe Mazzulla
Possible Rockets Starters
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Rockets Reserves Steven AdamsJeff GreenAaron HolidayReed SheppardJae’Sean Tate
2-Method Gamers N’Faly DanteJack McVeighNate Williams
Accidents/Out Tari Eason (leg) doubtfulAmen Thompson (out) suspensionJock Landale (knee) questionableJabari Smith, Jr (hand) out
Head CoachIme Udoka
Key Matchups
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Derrick White
Photograph by Jason Miller/Getty Photos
Jalen Inexperienced
Photograph by Michael Hickey/Getty Photos
Derrick White vs Jalen GreenGreen is averaging 19.3 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal per recreation. He’s capturing 40.7% from the sphere and 32% from the sphere. Inexperienced is the Rockets’ main scorer and the Celtics should be conscious that he can put up a variety of factors if not defended nicely.
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Kristaps Porzingis
Photograph by Andy Lyons/Getty Photos
Alperen Sengun
Photograph by Jeff Haynes/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Kristaps Porzingis vs Alperen SengunSengun is averaging 18.9 factors, 10.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals per recreation. He’s capturing 49.1% from the sphere and 22.9% from past the arc. Sengun shouldn’t be a giant menace from the perimeter, however he can hit 3’s if left open. The Celtics have to field out as he is an efficient rebounder.
Honorable MentionJrue Vacation vs Fred VanVleetVanVleet is averaging 15.4 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per recreation. He’s capturing 37.9% from the sphere and 32.5% from past the arc. VanVleet could be very able to placing up a variety of factors when he performs nicely. The Celtics have to preserve him from getting comfy and from entering into the offense early within the clock.
Keys to the Recreation Protection – Protection is at all times a key to profitable. Gamers battle on offense in some video games, however they’ll at all times play protection. The Rockets are averaging 113 factors per recreation (twelfth). The Celtics are averaging 119.6 factors per recreation (4th). The Rockets are 2nd with a defensive ranking of 105.8 whereas the Celtics are seventh with a defensive ranking of 109.7. The Celtics have to stay to their defensive identification on this one as a result of the Rockets play powerful protection and the Celtics can’t depend upon a shoot out to win.
Rebound – As a way to rating, the Celtics want the ball and to get the ball, they might want to crash the boards as a staff. The Celtics common 45.5 rebounds per recreation (sixth) whereas the Rockets common 49.7 rebounds per recreation (1st). A lot of rebounding is effort and when the Celtics put out further effort on the boards, it normally carries over into the remainder of their recreation. The Rockets are third within the league with 17.1 second probability factors per recreation. The Rockets are an excellent rebounding staff and so the Celtics should come into the sport decided to place out further effort and to hustle for each rebound to restrict 2nd probability factors for the Rockets.
Be Aggressive and Keep Targeted – The Celtics need to be aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and never settling for 3 tips on each possession, particularly if the 3s aren’t falling. In addition they need to be aggressive in hustling for rebounds and for free balls. And so they need to be aggressive on protection. They need to play tougher than the Rockets and play just like the staff that desires this recreation extra. In addition they want to hold that aggressiveness by way of all 4 quarters with no let up. In addition they want to remain centered on taking good pictures and making them. They need to preserve their deal with enjoying staff ball.
Be Constant – The Celtics have been up and down now for many of the month of December. One recreation they lose to a staff that they clearly ought to have beat. The subsequent recreation they win in a blowout over a contender. One recreation they provide up a giant lead and lose down the stretch. The subsequent recreation they arrive from behind to get a win. The Celtics have to get again to giving constant effort each recreation and each quarter. No let up and no simple simple pictures for his or her opponent.
X-Elements Again to Again Highway Recreation – The Celtics are on the street the place they’ve an 11-3 document. The Celtics are enjoying on the second evening of again to again video games whereas the Rockets are enjoying within the third recreation of a 5 recreation dwelling stand. The Celtics needed to journey from Minnesota after their Thursday evening recreation, keep in a lodge, play in entrance of a hostile crowd and on an unfamiliar courtroom whereas the Rockets ought to get a lift from being on their dwelling courtroom.
Teaching – The Rockets are led by former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who left Boston beneath lower than fascinating circumstances. He was suspended for violating staff guidelines and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla was made interim coach. Finally, Udoka was formally launched and Mazzulla was made head coach. I’m certain that Udoka would love nothing greater than to beat the staff that allow him go after he led that staff to the Finals. He may also have his staff motivated to avenge 2 losses to the Celtics the earlier yr.
Officiating – The officiating is at all times an x-factor. Some referees name the sport tight and others allow them to play. Some favor the house staff and others name it evenly. Just lately the officiating has been getting some scrutiny for being visibly unhealthy. The Celtics need to play by way of no matter calls go towards them and never permit unhealthy calls or no calls to remove their deal with the sport.
