Celtics vs. Rockets at Tipoff: Houston's 6-1 Start Meets Boston's Five-Game Win Streak at Toyota Center
'Celtics vs Rockets' is the No. 3 search in America on Monday evening because the night's best game is in Houston: the 6-1 Rockets, rested since Friday, host a 5-1 Boston team playing its second game in two nights. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Toyota Center, with Steven Adams out and Clint Capela and Reed Sheppard questionable for Houston.
HOUSTON - The search numbers found the right game. 'Celtics vs Rockets' climbed to No. 3 among Google's trending searches in the United States on Monday evening, and the matchup underneath it is the night's best: the Houston Rockets (6-1), second in the Western Conference, against the Boston Celtics (5-1), third in the East, at Toyota Center at 7:30 p.m., in a game Sports Illustrated called the matchup of the night between two potential title contenders.
The rest edge belongs to Houston. The Rockets last played Friday at home, beating Oklahoma City 119-98, while Boston played Sunday night in Florida, winning 108-97 at Orlando for its fifth straight victory - though Celtics Wire noted all five wins came against teams with losing records, and Houston is the first top seed Boston has faced. The Celtics are 1-0 on the second night of a back-to-back this season under head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Houston's frontcourt is the question. Steven Adams (right soleus strain) is out, and Clint Capela (right ankle sprain) and Reed Sheppard (low back strain) were listed questionable on the report Celtics Wire read. Boston guard Devin Carter has missed every game this season with mononucleosis, and center Mitchell Robinson, rested Sunday, was a possible return. The probable lineups: Boston with Derrick White, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Jordan Walsh and Robinson; Houston with Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson and Fred VanVleet.
Oddsmakers made Houston a 4.5-point home favorite. Whatever the number, the building gets the early season's cleanest measuring stick: a rested contender at home against a streaking one running on fumes - and, for one night, the most-searched game in the country.
