Following a trade for Kevin Durant in the offseason, former Celtics coach Ime Udoka commands a team with its sights set on competing in a hardened Western Conference.
Let’s get into it. Here’s the preview:
When: Saturday, 8 p.m.
Where: TD Garden, Boston
TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5
Line: Houston -5.5. O/U: 225.0.
ROCKETS
Season record: 2-2. vs. spread: 3-1. Over/under: 3-1
Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 7-3. Over/under: 6-4
CELTICS
Season record: 3-3. vs. spread: 2-4. Over/under: 2-4
Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 4-6
TEAM STATISTICS
Points per game: Houston 127.8, Boston 113.3
Points allowed per game: Houston 117.5, Boston 107.3
Field goal percentage: Houston .494, Boston .444
Opponent field goal percentage: Houston .471, Boston .411
3-point percentage: Houston .407, Boston .328
Opponent 3-point percentage: Houston .380, Boston .335
Stat of the day: The Celtics lead the league in 3-point attempts with an average of 47.8 per game.
Notes: The Rockets, who are averaging 30.8 3-point attempts per contest, 27th in the NBA, typically elect to use a bigger lineup. Four of Houston’s five starters on Wednesday in a 139-121 victory over the Toronto Raptors were 6-foot-7 or taller. That resulted in a 53-22 rebounding advantage. The Rockets outscored the Raptors 66-36 in the paint, but Toronto did shoot 52.5% (21 of 40) from behind the 3-point arc. … The Celtics’ perimeter play is spread nicely, as Sam Hauser (21 3-pointers), Jaylen Brown (19), Anfernee Simons (18) and Derrick White (16) are all threats from deep. … Boston began the season with three straight losses, but the victory over Philadelphia extended the Celtics’ winning streak to three games. Brown has been the team’s leading scorer in five of its six games, including a 32-point effort on Friday. … The Celtics are 1-1 at home this season. … As for the Rockets’ offense, Durant is averaging a team-high 27.5 points per game in his first season with the club.
Cam Kerry can be reached at cam.kerry@globe.com.
