The Celtics transfer on to the second sport of their 4 sport Western journey as they go to Houston to tackle the Rockets. That is the primary of two video games in opposition to the Rockets this season. They are going to 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 total all time in opposition to 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 sport forward of the New York Knicks, who’ve gained 9 straight video games. The Celtics are 12-3 on the highway and 6-4 of their final 10 video games. They’re 3-2 in opposition to 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 sport behind 2nd place Memphis and they’re 1.5 video games forward of the 4th place Dallas Mavericks. They’re 11-5 at residence and 6-4 of their final 10 video games. They’re 8-3 in opposition to Japanese Convention opponents and, after 2 straight losses, gained their final sport.
After an enormous off season final 12 months the place the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and several other different veterans, that they had a comparatively quiet off season this 12 months. They signed Aaron Vacation as a free agent. They exercised the staff choice 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 12 months in a row.
The Celtics simply accomplished a 4 sport residence stand the place they beat the Pacers and Raptors and misplaced to the Pacers and 76ers. That is the second sport of a 4 sport Western highway journey that began with a win in Minnesota on Thursday, and can proceed by means of Oklahoma Metropolis and Denver. They are going to return residence 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 sport of a 5 sport residence stand for the Rockets. They misplaced the primary two video games to Minnesota and Miami after which beat Dallas within the sport earlier than this one. They are going to shut out the house stand in opposition to the Lakers. They then head out on a 3 sport highway journey by means of Washington, Memphis, and Atlanta earlier than a house sport in opposition to Memphis. Then, they play at Denver, Sacramento and Portland.
Jaylen Brown missed Thursday’s sport with a shoulder harm he sustained within the Raptors sport. He’s listed as out for this sport and I’m guessing that Sam Hauser will change him within the beginning lineup. Kristaps Porzingis missed his 4th straight sport with a sprained ankle on Thursday. Porzingis is listed as obtainable for this sport and may begin on this sport. Al Horford is out for relaxation, as anticipated.
For the Rockets, Tari Eason is uncertain with a leg harm. Jock Landale is questionable with a knee harm. Jabari Smith, Jr. was a late addition to the harm checklist for the Rockets. He broke his left hand as we speak and will probably 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
Picture by Jason Miller/Getty Photos
Jalen Inexperienced
Picture 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 sport. He’s capturing 40.7% from the sphere and 32% from the sphere. Inexperienced is the Rockets’ main scorer and the Celtics have to be conscious that he can put up quite a lot of factors if not defended nicely.
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Kristaps Porzingis
Picture by Andy Lyons/Getty Photos
Alperen Sengun
Picture by Jeff Haynes/NBAE through Getty Photos
Kristaps Porzingis vs Alperen SengunSengun is averaging 18.9 factors, 10.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals per sport. He’s capturing 49.1% from the sphere and 22.9% from past the arc. Sengun just isn’t an enormous menace from the perimeter, however he can hit 3’s if left open. The Celtics have to field out as he is an effective rebounder.
Honorable MentionJrue Vacation vs Fred VanVleetVanVleet is averaging 15.4 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per sport. He’s capturing 37.9% from the sphere and 32.5% from past the arc. VanVleet could be very able to placing up quite a lot of factors when he performs nicely. The Celtics have to maintain him from getting snug and from moving into the offense early within the clock.
Keys to the Sport Protection – Protection is at all times a key to profitable. Gamers wrestle on offense in some video games, however they’ll at all times play protection. The Rockets are averaging 113 factors per sport (twelfth). The Celtics are averaging 119.6 factors per sport (4th). The Rockets are 2nd with a defensive score of 105.8 whereas the Celtics are seventh with a defensive score 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 sport (sixth) whereas the Rockets common 49.7 rebounds per sport (1st). A lot of rebounding is effort and when the Celtics put out further effort on the boards, it often carries over into the remainder of their sport. The Rockets are third within the league with 17.1 second likelihood factors per sport. 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 likelihood 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. Additionally they need to be aggressive in hustling for rebounds and for unfastened balls. They usually need to be aggressive on protection. They need to play more durable than the Rockets and play just like the staff that desires this sport extra. Additionally they want to hold that aggressiveness by means of all 4 quarters with no let up. Additionally they want to remain targeted on taking good photographs and making them. They need to maintain their give attention to taking part in staff ball.
Be Constant – The Celtics have been up and down now for many of the month of December. One sport they lose to a staff that they clearly ought to have beat. The following sport they win in a blowout over a contender. One sport they provide up an enormous lead and lose down the stretch. The following sport they arrive from behind to get a win. The Celtics have to get again to giving constant effort each sport and each quarter. No let up and no simple simple photographs for his or her opponent.
X-Elements Again to Again Street Sport – The Celtics are on the highway the place they’ve an 11-3 report. The Celtics are taking part in on the second night time of again to again video games whereas the Rockets are taking part in within the third sport of a 5 sport residence stand. The Celtics needed to journey from Minnesota after their Thursday night time sport, keep in a resort, play in entrance of a hostile crowd and on an unfamiliar courtroom whereas the Rockets ought to get a lift from being on their residence courtroom.
Teaching – The Rockets are led by former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who left Boston below lower than fascinating circumstances. He was suspended for violating staff guidelines and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla was made interim coach. Ultimately, Udoka was formally launched and Mazzulla was made head coach. I’m positive that Udoka would love nothing greater than to beat the staff that permit him go after he led that staff to the Finals. He will even have his staff motivated to avenge 2 losses to the Celtics the earlier 12 months.
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. Lately the officiating has been getting some scrutiny for being visibly unhealthy. The Celtics need to play by means of no matter calls go in opposition to them and never permit unhealthy calls or no calls to remove their give attention to the sport.
