Game 36 Preview: Rockets at Celtics

The Celtics (18-17) will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high 5 games as they take on the Houston Rockets (21-15).

Houston is coming off a 88-79 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night. However, they have won 5 of their last 6 games, but they're allowing 100.2 points per game in those 6 games.

These two squared off back on December 14 in Houston, and the Rockets got the better of the Celtics, 101-89. Hopefully this time around the luck is on the Celtics side.

Here's a preview:

Projected lineups:

Rockets:
Jeremy Lin
James Harden
Chandler Parsons
Marcus Morris
Omer Asik

Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Avery Bradley
Paul Pierce
Brandon Bass
Kevin Garnett

Keys to the game:

1. Stopping Harden: In the five games he's played since his return, Avery Bradley has not been dealt with a difficult guard to defend. Tonight, he gets his first real test in James Harden. Harden is fourth in the league in scoring, averaging 26.5 points a contest. On Wednesday, he broke the Rockets' record of consecutive games with at least 25 points with his 14th straight game after scoring exactly 25 against the Hornets. Bradley will have his hands full tonight. Bradley's on-ball pressure is going to be crucial for a Celtics victory.

2. Perimeter "D": Somehow it all goes back to Bradley, doesn't it? Houston ranks 12th in the league in three-point percentage at 36.0% entering tonight's game. Over their last three games, they've shot the three at a 37.2% clip. In their previous meeting, Houston killed the Celtics from beyond the arc, shooting 37% on 10-of-27 from three. They have three players (Carlos Delfino, Toney Douglas, and Marcus Morris) who are shooting better than 38% from beyond the arc. Defending the three is going to start with Bradley and the rest of the guards, and hopefully Bradley's defensive intensity can continue to rub off on everyone else.