The Celtics’ five-game winning streak gets a serious stress test in Houston, where Boston has to deal with a back-to-back and its third game in four nights while the Rockets come in rested and unbeaten at home.
Boston is 5-1 overall and 1-1 on the road. Houston sits at 6-1, including a 3-0 mark at home. This is the first of two matchups between the teams, and the Rockets have had two days off to prepare for a Celtics group that has been grinding through the schedule.
One of the biggest questions is how Boston handles the frontcourt matchup. The Celtics are bringing a fully healthy big-man group, while Houston is missing some depth.
The expectation here is that Jordan Walsh will take on Jabari Smith Jr., with Mitchell Robinson assigned to Alperin Sengun. Robinson’s mobility will be tested, and Boston figures to send help at Sengun in an effort to force turnovers.
The other major swing factor is whether Boston’s legs hold up. On a tough back-to-back, the Celtics will be watched closely for stretches where shots start coming up short.
That matters because front-rim misses can turn into long rebounds and quick Houston breaks, and the Rockets are sixth in the NBA in fastbreak points. That kind of sequence could open the door to a few big runs.
Jayson Tatum is also facing a defense built to make life difficult. Amen Thompson headlines a group of long, disruptive defenders, and Tatum will need more than scoring support. His teammates have to make shots, set solid screens and make the right reads if Boston is going to crack Houston’s defense.
That’s part of the reason Scheierman is projected to start alongside Walsh. Walsh brings the defensive edge, while Scheierman could help with some of the offensive creation Boston will miss with Paul George out. The thinking is that Scheierman fits better than Payton Pritchard in the starting group because of his size, and Pritchard’s role as a second-unit anchor doesn’t change.
Boston’s bench should help keep things competitive, especially with Houston short on center depth. Even so, the combination of the Rockets’ rest, their home form and the Celtics’ schedule edge points toward a tough night for Boston. The prediction here is Houston pulls away late, 116-107.
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