The TD Garden has a marquee matchup lined up for Tuesday with the second place Boston Celtics hosting the second place Houston Rockets in the Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference showdown. Both squads are riding high off impressive victories and will look to keep the ball rolling within what should be a fun matchup.
Match Preview
The Celtics come into this game off a 122-107 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. This win marked a big bounce back after their loss to the Los Angeles Lakers just 24 hours prior. The Celtics, who are at the center of a rematch of 2024 NBA Finals, got off to a sluggish start, leaving the first quarter down by four points. But a commanding performance across the second and third quarters saw Joe Mazzulla’s side pull clear for a comfortable victory.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 24 points despite shooting poorly, and all five starters helped fill out the scorecard in a 104-point combined showing. Boston finds itself right behind the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference standings with a 32-14 record. The defending champions will look to continue their run as they pursue a second straight season atop the division.
Boston has the mental edge in this matchup, too, having defeated Houston 109-86 earlier this year. Boston has won eight of the last nine against Indiana and will try to complete the season sweep.
The Rockets, meanwhile, are coming off a thrilling 135-131 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Sunday. Houston controlled the first three quarters, scoring 101 points and racing to a 17-point lead before fending off a late charge by the Cavaliers.
Amen Thompson was a star, recording the second triple-double of his career with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. He was well supported by Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Fred VanVleet, all of whom added over 20 points. The Rockets have been strong in 2024 as well, taking nine of their last 12. But they are still six games behind the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
Team News
Derrick White will try to build off his strong showing against Dallas for Boston, as he finished with his 12th 20-point game of the season in that matchup. Meanwhile, Tatum, whom the league recently named as an All-Star starter, is expected to again be a linchpin.
Houston, meanwhile, is dealing with injury problems, as Jabari Smith Jr. is out with a fractured left hand. N’Faly Dante, who was recently recalled from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, is expected to miss Tuesday’s game.
Predicted Lineups
Boston Celtics: Holiday, White; Tatum, Brown; Porzingis
Houston Rockets: Green, VanVleet; Brooks, Thompson; Sengun
Prediction
This is a matchup that could go either way given both teams have shown great form this season. But Boston has a decided home advantage and has dominated its recent meetings with Houston. This will be a closely fought match, with the Celtics picking up the win.
This game not only gives Boston a chance to assert their dominance but for Houston a chance to make a statement by ending a five-year losing streak at the TD Garden. Viewers should anticipate an electric showdown between two elite teams.
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