Celtics Head to Texas to Face Some Stiffer Competition

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Mar 19, 2010

Celtics Head to Texas to Face Some Stiffer Competition The Celtics wrapped up another pair of lopsided home victories this week, blowing out the Pistons and Knicks in quick succession on the TD Garden floor. They're now 5-1 at home this month, but it's time for the C's to take their act on the road.

They've been a strong road team all season, but they're in for a real test now as they enter a Texas weekend back-to-back, first taking on the Rockets on Friday, then heading to Dallas the following night. The Rockets have won four straight, so this one won't be easy.

When and Where

Friday, March 19, 8:30 p.m. ET
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

Records

Celtics (43-24, first place in Atlantic Division, third place in Eastern Conference)
Rockets (35-31, third place in Southwest Division, ninth place in Western Conference)

Head to Head

The Celtics and Rockets have not met yet this season, but they're now set to play twice in the next two weeks. First it's this game at the Toyota Center, followed by a second meeting back in Boston on April 2. Dating back two seasons, the Celtics have won three of their last four games against the Rockets, with the lone loss coming on Jan. 7, 2009 at the TD Garden.

Skinny

Considering the strength of the Western Conference and everything the Rockets have been through this season, it's a miracle that Rick Adelman's team is even in the hunt for a playoff berth. This is a team playing without its two best players to start the season — Yao Ming is out for the season, and Tracy McGrady gave up on the Rockets this winter and demanded a trade. They dealt him at the deadline for Kevin Martin, and with Martin teaming up with Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks in Houston to form a new Big Three, the Rockets are still in the hunt out West. They've now won four straight, but the Celtics will be a tough test. Both teams want this one bad.

Starting Lineups

Celtics
Point guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting guard: Ray Allen
Small forward: Paul Pierce
Power forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Kendrick Perkins

Rockets
Point guard: Aaron Brooks
Shooting guard: Kevin Martin
Small forward: Trevor Ariza
Power forward: Luis Scola
Center: Chuck Hayes

Stat Sheet

Celtics
Boston is 22-12 away from the TD Garden, tied with Dallas for the second-best road record in the NBA.

They're no longer dead last in the NBA in total rebounds — the C's have 2,587 on the season, while the Golden State Warriors have only 2,565.

Ray Allen has fallen under 90 percent free-throw shooting, to 89.9 percent on the season. He still ranks fourth in the NBA.

Kendrick Perkins leads the team with 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

Kevin Garnett had four rebounds in the Celtics' win over the Knicks on Wednesday night. It was his lowest rebound total in nearly two months — he pulled down two boards against the Clippers on Jan. 25.

Ray Allen has averaged 22.0 points against the Rockets in his career.

Paul Pierce has 21.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game against Houston.

Rockets
The Rockets are 10-13 this season against the Eastern Conference.

The Rockets shot 44.7 percent from the field as a team, fifth-lowest in the league. The Nets, Bucks, Pacers and Pistons are worse.

Aaron Brooks was a perfect 7-of-7 from 3-point range in the Rockets' 107-94 win over the Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Kevin Martin is averaging 22.9 points per game through 13 games in a Rockets uniform.

Trevor Ariza is averaging 15.1 points per game, dwarfing his previous career high of 8.9.

Luis Scola has 8.9 rebounds per game, a team high and a career high.

Shane Battier has a team-high 1.2 blocks per game.

Black and Blue

Celtics
The Celtics remain fully healthy as they hit the road this weekend.

Rockets
Yao Ming underwent foot surgery in the fall and has missed the entire season.

This Date in Celtics History

In 1993, the Celtics shock the Lakers with a dramatic, 129-119 comeback win in L.A., behind a 49-25 fourth quarter. The Celtics trailed 80-60 midway through the third quarter but charge back, making 15 of their last 16 field goals. Robert Parish finishes the game with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Overheard

"Where we're going, it'll be difficult. Houston is playing well, especially right now they are. They struggled a while, and now they’re back out of it, and they’re playing really well. And Dallas and Utah are Dallas and Utah. And it's a back-to-back with Dallas. So this is a tough trip for us."
–Celtics coach Doc Rivers on the upcoming three-game road trip

Press Box

Celtics
Wednesday was a good night to be wearing green.

Kevin Garnett can't do it alone.

Rajon Rondo passes up his shots.

Rockets
Aaron Brooks hit 3's and broke records.

The Rockets improve their execution.

Houston's on a roll.

NBA
Michael Jordan
gets his hands dirty.

Rodney Stuckey's ready for a comeback.

Andrew Bogut has made the Bucks into a playoff team.

Outlook

You know what you're going to get when you face these Rockets — an undersized but smart, scrappy lineup that knows when to go on the offensive. Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin will get tons of touches, and the pressure's on the Celtics' guard tandem of Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to contest every shot and slow Houston's backcourt down. The Rockets have been hitting shots and playing well over the past week, and it's up to the visiting Celtics to slow their momentum and steal a win at the Toyota Center. That's easier said than done against a hungry Rockets team surging toward a potential playoff berth.

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