Boston Celtics (32-10, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (20-21, 11th in the Western Conference)
Houston; Sunday, 7 p.m. EST
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE: Celtics -10.5; over/under is 228
BOTTOM LINE: Houston hosts the Boston Celtics after the Rockets took down the Utah Jazz 127-126 in overtime.
The Rockets are 16-6 in home games. Houston has a 5-1 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Celtics are 12-9 on the road. Boston ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 11.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 2.1.
The Rockets are shooting 46.0% from the field this season, 0.9 percentage points higher than the 45.1% the Celtics allow to opponents. The Celtics are shooting 47.7% from the field, 2.1% higher than the 45.6% the Rockets' opponents have shot this season.
The teams meet for the second time this season. The Celtics won 145-113 in the last matchup on Jan. 14.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jabari Smith Jr. is scoring 13.7 points per game and averaging 8.7 rebounds for the Rockets. Alperen Sengun is averaging 23.9 points and 9.2 rebounds over the last 10 games for Houston.
Jayson Tatum is averaging 26.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Celtics. Derrick White is averaging 2.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Boston.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 4-6, averaging 111.2 points, 45.5 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 44.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.9 points per game.
Celtics: 6-4, averaging 119.4 points, 47.3 rebounds, 24.1 assists, 5.5 steals and 6.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.2 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Victor Oladipo: out (knee), Tari Eason: out (leg), Reggie Bullock: day to day (back).
Celtics: Jrue Holiday: day to day (elbow), Al Horford: day to day (rest).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
The Associated Press
