The Houston Rockets will continue their five-game homestand with a matchup against the Boston Celtics on Friday night. The Rockets are coming off an impressive 110-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing their growth as a unit despite veteran guard Fred VanVleet’s off-night shooting.
Rockets’ Recent Performance
- Fred VanVleet: VanVleet had a challenging game, missing 7 of 8 shots and scoring only five points. However, he contributed significantly with five rebounds, seven assists, and six steals.
- Team Effort: The Rockets (22-11) didn’t rely on VanVleet’s scoring or offensive organization, as other players stepped up. Despite Amen Thompson serving the first of a two-game suspension, the team remained resilient.
- Key Players:
- Alperen Sengun: Sengun led the team with 23 points and four assists, demonstrating his ability to run the offense from the center position.
- Jalen Green: Green scored 22 points and kept the Rockets organized, even without recording an assist.
- Team Growth: The Rockets have developed confidence in relying on Sengun, Green, and Thompson to share the offensive load, reducing their dependency on VanVleet.
Celtics’ Recent Performance
The Celtics secured a hard-fought 118-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, the opener of their four-game road trip. They achieved this without key players Jaylen Brown (shoulder injury) and Kristaps Porzingis (ankle).
- Jayson Tatum: Tatum led the way with 33 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, stepping up in the absence of Brown and Porzingis.
- Team Resilience: Despite an 8-6 record in December, the Celtics’ win in Minnesota could serve as a catalyst for further success.
Key Factors to Watch
- Injuries: The Rockets will be without Amen Thompson for one more game due to suspension, while the Celtics are dealing with injuries to Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis.
- Offensive and Defensive Strategies: The Rockets will continue to rely on Sengun and Green to co-author their offense, while the Celtics will look to Tatum to lead the way.
- Matchup History: This will be the first meeting between the Rockets and Celtics this season.
Outlook
The Rockets will aim to build on their recent success and continue their growth as a unit, while the Celtics will look to maintain their momentum from the win in Minnesota. The performance of key players and the ability of both teams to adapt to injuries will be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
