Rockets Aim to Keep Boston Winless, as Celtics Visit Town
Hateful Eight. Hungry Like the Wolves. Down the Road.
“Bringing desperate men in alive, is a good way to get yourself dead,” a quote from Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight. And as the Rockets prepare to begin a brutal eight-game stretch, the winless Celtics come to town on Sunday night, desperate for a win. Boston lost a heartbreaking double-overtime thriller at Madison Square Garden to the Knicks in their opener, and then got blown out the water by the Raptors in their home opener in Boston, 105-83. The Celtics have a new head coach, in Ime Udoka. But, they still have Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown, two of the best perimeter players in the game today. Brown exploded for 46 points in Boston’s first game, and Tatum is capable of the same offensive output on any given night. After playing two bad teams to start the season, the Rockets get their toughest test of the year so far as a hungry Celtics team visits Houston.
The Rockets need to build off their last win, and hope they can stay under control against a feisty Celtics team. Don’t let the record fool you, Boston, despite being winless, is the best team Houston has faced in this very early season. Sunday night is the first of a torturous eight-game stretch for the Rockets. After tonight, 6 of Houston’s next 7 games are on the road. And every game, including tonight, is against a team who made the playoffs last year. So, just as the Rockets finally enjoyed their first win in the Jalen Green era… the road ahead is about to become much more challenging. Marcus Smart is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, and should give Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green fits.
Houston needs a big game from Eric Gordon tonight, and the squad will certainly look to Christian Wood to dominate similar to the display he showed the Thunder. Otherwise, the Rockets will be in big trouble against one of the hungriest teams in the league. The Celtics know they’re better than 0-2. Expect Boston to come into Houston hungry like the Wolves were in the Rockets’ opener. KPJ and co. have to recognize this Celtics team is going to battle from the opening tip. Desperate times call for desperate measures… And tonight in Houston, the more desperate team’s winning this battle.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Boston Celtics (0-2): Green
Houston Rockets (1-1): Black
TV: 6 PM CT – NBA TV, AT&T Sportsnet SW