Surging Rockets Head Up to Boston, Face Celtics in Saturday Night Showdown
Making Waves. Gunning for Second. Revisiting the Start.
“I cannot be taken down. I am a new machine.” It’s a defiant quote from a wrestling team in the 2019 criminally overlooked film, Waves. Taking down Houston’s new machine, equipped with the league’s most unconventional and fastest style, has been almost-impossible for opponents since the Rockets put all their money on micro-ball. Houston’s new machine will face their toughest test yet, as the Rockets travel to Boston to face the Celtics in a Saturday night showdown. Two teams making waves across the league face off tonight in Beantown. Houston puts their five-game winning streak on the line against a Celtics team that’s won 13 of their last 15 games. Boston’s two lone losses? On the road to the Rockets, and in Los Angeles to the Lakers. In other words, the Celtics haven’t had a bad loss in ages. Therefore, they’re grouped with the Lakers, Bucks, and Rockets in the quadrant of teams playing the best basketball at the moment.
Houston’s major focus on defense will be slowing down Jayson Tatum, who’s play has evolved from All-Star to Superstar status over the past few games. The first-time All-Star is scoring 35.4 points and grabbing 8.2 boards over his last five contests. The Rockets will have a plethora of players to throw at Tatum, but Boston’s star has been unstoppable. Houston’s help-defense on the Celtic star could be the key to extending the streak tonight in Boston. Both teams have the second seed in their respective conferences in sight. The Rockets are now only a game in the loss column behind the Clippers and Denver for the second seed, while the Celtics sit just a game back of Toronto for the East’s second spot. A lot’s on the line tonight in a nationally televised primetime showdown. Houston’s new machine will be pushed to the limits in Boston. The Celtics are one of the deepest, and most versatile teams in the league. Their star point guard Kemba Walker is still out with an injury, but the C’s have plenty of players who can damper the Rockets’ hopes of victory. Eric Gordon is still out with an injury, which means more minutes for Ben McLemore, Austin Rivers, Jeff Green, and the anyone in a contributing mood.
Don’t expect to see any seven-footers, lacking natural skill, who just run and dunk, in tonight’s contest. A lot of skill will be on display in this showdown. Expect a playoff atmosphere in Boston on Saturday night, as a premier matchup between two NBA heavyweights awaits the onlookers inside TD Garden. The Celtics are one of the best home teams in the league, boasting a 23-5 record at their house. James Harden and Russell Westbrook will need to be superheroes tonight for Houston to pull off an impressive victory. Boston’s out for revenge, as the Rockets won the first meeting between these clubs, 116-104, only a few weeks ago back in Houston. If the the Beard and Brodie can weather an early C’s storm, and hang in the game, they’ve got the firepower to pull this one out, and extend the winning streak. The Celtics have been spectators to the phenomenon. And their city might need a little luck of the Irish tonight. Boston has yet to witness, in person, the NBA’s new machine… good luck taking it down.
TD Garden: Boston, Massachusetts
Jersey Colors:
Houston Rockets (38-20): “Space City” White
Boston Celtics (41-17): Black
TV: 7:30 PM CT – ABC