Though they still own the NBA’s second-best record, the Boston Celtics have scuffled a bit in recent weeks, having lost four of their last seven games. They’ll have an ideal opportunity to get right in Monday’s visit to Houston, where the rebuilding Rockets continue to hold the league’s worst record on the 2022-23 season to date.
For Jabari Smith Jr. and the Rockets, it’s the second matchup of a six-game March homestand at Toyota Center. On paper, it’s their least likely game to win of the six, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s Celtics among a short list of legitimate title contenders this season.
That said, there are at least a few reasons for optimism with the home team. They’ve won two of their last five games, overall, and two of those three losses were Thursday’s overtime setback at Indiana and Saturday’s home loss to Chicago — in which Houston led for the vast majority of the game before losing control late.
Generally speaking, the Rockets are getting more competitive, and the improved play by rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. is perhaps the biggest reason. Over his last five games, the No. 3 overall draft pick of the 2022 first round is averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 33.7 minutes on 54.2% shooting and 45.5% on 3-pointers.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Monday, March 13
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (15-52)
- Guard: Kevin Porter Jr.
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: KJ Martin
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
Boston Celtics (47-21)
- Guard: Marcus Smart
- Guard: Derrick White
- Forward: Jaylen Brown
- Forward: Jayson Tatum
- Center: Al Horford
Projected lineups are mostly based on each team’s previous game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report lists Alperen Sengun (left groin strain) as probable, while Boston is listing Danilo Gallinari (left knee ACL repair), Payton Pritchard (left heel pain), and Robert Williams III (left hamstring strain) as out for Monday night’s game.
