Final: Celtics 145, Rockets 113 - Hot shooting Celtics bounce back, go to 19-0 at home

BOSTON CELTICS vs. HOUSTON ROCKETS

7:00 p.m. - NBC Sports Boston

Line: Boston -15.5

INJURIES

Boston: None

Houston: Dillon Brooks (PROBABLE, oblique), Tari Eason (OUT, leg), Jeff Green (PROBABLE, knee), Victor Oladipo (OUT, knee)

NOTES

- Houston is on a back-to-back. They beat Detroit last night 112-110. 

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Answers: The Celtics are coming off their worst loss of the season where the starters got benched at halftime. There will definitely be some level of emotion involved in trying to erase the memories of that game from everybody’s brains. It would be nice to see some good execution at home after that mess. 

2. Keeping emotions in check: There's a balance to all that stuff, especially on a night where Ime Udoka returns to Boston for the first time. No one knows how this is going to go, and if guys get too caught up in atoning for Thursday’s embarrassment AND trying to stick it to Udoka, then they can get pulled out of their usual flow. The key to points one and two here is sticking to the routine and just executing the plan with energy and force. 

3. Attack Alperin Segun in pick-and-roll: The Rockets perimeter defense will allow for some penetration, and Sengun is not the quickest-footed person on the planet. Put him in a blender early and often, and make him make decisions. Boston’s offense should frustrate him, which would be a great way to defend him at the other end. 

4. Turn Jalen Green over: I feel like Boston’s defensive schemes can force Green into at least three or four live-ball turnovers, maybe more. I might be ambitious in saying this, but I think they can score 10 points just off his turnovers in 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.