Final: Rockets 114, Celtics 112 - Thompson's buzzer beater sinks Celtics

BOSTON CELTICS (32-14) vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS (30-14)

TD Garden, 7:30 p.m. - NBCS Boston

Line: Celtics -6.5

INJURIES

Boston: Sam Hauser (OUT, hip), Derrick White (OUT, shin)

Houston: Jabari Smith Jr. (OUT, hand), Cam Whitmore (OUT, illness)

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Energy: First game back from a long road trip-itis is a real issue. I’ve been harping on the Celtics for not fighting through some of these ready-made excuses like they did last season, so I’d like to see them really focus in this game and rise to the challenge against a tough Rockets team. The Celtics will be a little shorthanded, which isn’t a bad thing in these situations. Someone will have to step up. 

2. Bench contribution: With White and Hauser out, I expect the Celtics to start double-big with Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. We know what Payton Pritchard is going to bring, and he’ll have the added motivation of going against Ime Udoka to fuel him. But after that, Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta will have to give Boston some meaningful minutes, and then a wild card like Jaden Springer will have to do something to make up for the absences. This shouldn’t be a game where the Celtics ride their best guys 40 minutes. 

3. Duplicate the defense: Boston beat Houston a few weeks ago with a championship-level defensive effort. They did a great job limiting Alperin Sengun after a big first quarter. They’ll have to duplicate that defensive effort to win this game. 

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.