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 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 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 highway 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 Japanese Convention opponents and, after 2 straight losses, gained their final recreation.
After an enormous off season final 12 months the place the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and several other different veterans, they’d a comparatively quiet off season this 12 months. They signed Aaron Vacation as a free agent. They exercised the crew choice on Jeff Inexperienced and Jae’Sean Tate. They signed Reed Sheppard, who was the #3 choose 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 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 highway journey that began with a win in Minnesota on Thursday, and can proceed via Oklahoma Metropolis and Denver. They are going to 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 are going to shut out the house stand towards the Lakers. They then head out on a 3 recreation highway journey via 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 exchange him within the beginning lineup. Kristaps Porzingis missed his 4th straight recreation with a sprained ankle on Thursday. Porzingis is listed as out there for this recreation and may 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 listing for the Rockets. He broke his left hand in the present day and shall 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
Celtics Reserves
Luke Kornet
Payton Pritchard
Neemias Queta
Baylor Scheierman
Jaden Springer
Xavier Tillman, Sr
Jordan Walsh
2 Manner Gamers
JD Davison
Drew Peterson
Anton Watson
Accidents/Out
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out there
Jaylen Brown (shoulder) out
Al Horford (relaxation) out
Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla
Possible Rockets Starters
Rockets Reserves
Steven Adams
Jeff Inexperienced
Aaron Vacation
Reed Sheppard
Jae’Sean Tate
2-Manner Gamers
N’Faly Dante
Jack McVeigh
Nate Williams
Accidents/Out
Tari Eason (leg) uncertain
Amen Thompson (out) suspension
Jock Landale (knee) questionable
Jabari Smith, Jr (hand) out
Head Coach
Ime Udoka
Key Matchups
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Derrick White
Picture by Jason Miller/Getty Pictures
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Jalen Inexperienced
Picture by Michael Hickey/Getty Pictures
Derrick White vs Jalen Inexperienced
Inexperienced is averaging 19.3 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1 steal per recreation. He’s taking pictures 40.7% from the sphere and 32% from the sphere. Inexperienced is the Rockets’ main scorer and the Celtics must be conscious that he can put up quite a lot of factors if not defended effectively.
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Kristaps Porzingis
Picture by Andy Lyons/Getty Pictures
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Alperen Sengun
Picture by Jeff Haynes/NBAE through Getty Pictures
Kristaps Porzingis vs Alperen Sengun
Sengun is averaging 18.9 factors, 10.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.2 steals per recreation. He’s taking pictures 49.1% from the sphere and 22.9% from past the arc. Sengun shouldn’t be an enormous risk from the perimeter, however he can hit 3’s if left open. The Celtics must field out as he is an efficient rebounder.
Honorable Point out
Jrue Vacation vs Fred VanVleet
VanVleet is averaging 15.4 factors, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per recreation. He’s taking pictures 37.9% from the sphere and 32.5% from past the arc. VanVleet may be very able to placing up quite a lot of factors when he performs effectively. The Celtics must maintain him from getting snug and from entering into the offense early within the clock.
Keys to the Sport
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 id 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 – In an effort to rating, the Celtics want the ball and to get the ball, they might want to crash the boards as a crew. 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 crew 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 should be aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and never settling for 3 tips about each possession, particularly if the 3s aren’t falling. In addition they should be aggressive in hustling for rebounds and for free balls. They usually should be aggressive on protection. They should play more durable than the Rockets and play just like the crew that wishes this recreation extra. In addition they want to hold that aggressiveness via all 4 quarters with no let up. In addition they want to remain centered on taking good photographs and making them. They should maintain their deal with enjoying crew ball.
Be Constant – The Celtics have been up and down now for a lot of the month of December. One recreation they lose to a crew that they clearly ought to have beat. The subsequent recreation they win in a blowout over a contender. One recreation they provide up an enormous lead and lose down the stretch. The subsequent recreation they arrive from behind to get a win. The Celtics must get again to giving constant effort each recreation and each quarter. No let up and no simple simple photographs for his or her opponent.
X-Components
Again to Again Street Sport – The Celtics are on the highway the place they’ve an 11-3 file. 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 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 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 crew guidelines and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla was made interim coach. Finally, Udoka was formally launched and Mazzulla was made head coach. I’m positive that Udoka would love nothing greater than to beat the crew that allow him go after he led that crew to the Finals. He can even have his crew 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 crew and others name it evenly. Just lately the officiating has been getting some scrutiny for being visibly dangerous. The Celtics should play via no matter calls go towards them and never enable dangerous calls or no calls to remove their deal with the sport.
