Next Up - Celtics @ Rockets Thursday, December 27th 2018 at 8 PM

The Celtics ride into Houston sporting a 2 game winning streak including an exhilarating OT win against Philly.  Last year The Celtics split with Houston, winning at home 99-98 almost a year to the day on December 28, 2017 and lost a tough one on the road 123-120 on March 3rd, 2018.
Last year Houston came to Boston with a 25-7 record and we played them in their Gym when they were 48-13.

What a difference a year makes as Houston has just moved into 7th place in the WC at 18-16.  Did you know that Chris Paul is 33 years old? Basketball years are like dog years.  

Boston has a lot to prove.  Their 3 game mini road trip begins tonight and if they want to keep contact with their EC Rivals they must win on the road. We seen this picture before.  The Beard fiddles and diddles with the ball up top waiting for you to over react and he will either take that step back 3 or take you off the dibble.
 
Houston is not a very good defensive team although they have played better on that end as of late.  

Houston is no longer the team that simply puts up so many points that no one can keep up with them.  They are 19th in PPG.
 
Keys to winning

Stop the dribble penetration
Close out on the shooters
Rebound the basketball
Minimize turnovers
Keep the ball moving on offense
Attack the paint, run the fastbreak and make those freebies.

worcester wrote:Capela had what ? 23 rb's his last game vs. OKC? Controlling the boards is key.

Capela is who Williams could become

The Celtics need to quit pretending that six foot eight guys are "bigs." Better develop Williams by the playoffs or find a way to add somebody.