Celtics (2-1) at Rockets (3-0)
Yes, we’re only three games into the new NBA season, but there’s no doubt that Tuesday night’s Boston-Houston matchup could be a preview of next June’s NBA Finals.
The Rockets are 2.5-point home favorites on WagerWeb.com for Tuesday’s game, with an over/under of 177.5.
None other than TNT analyst Reggie Miller expects these two teams to meet in the Finals, with Houston appearing stellar defensively with the addition of Ron Artest. And Houston has won its first three games, with Yao Ming leading the way with a 22.3 points per game scoring average.
“Guys are healthy right now, which is the biggest thing,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said of Houston. “[Artest] gives them a better identity, a tougher identity. They have a protector for Tracy [McGrady] and Yao [Ming].”
Houston may be unbeaten but has struggled offensively. Their defense has been very solid, with neither opponent making a 3-pointer in Toyota Center this season. But on offense, Houston is averaging 94.3 points (20th in the NBA) and shooting 40.6 percent (26th).
In Saturday’s 89-77 win over Oklahoma City, the Rockets shot just 36 percent from the field but made up for it with a 27-of-31 performance at the line and a strong defensive effort.
The Rockets lost both games with the NBA eventual champions last season. The second meeting (in which Yao didn’t play) ended the Rockets’ 22-game winning streak.
Boston, meanwhile, is coming off an ugly 95-79 road loss at Indiana in which the Celtics shot 60 percent from the free-throw line. That’s been a problem this year, as Boston ranks only 28th in the league in free-throw percentage. The Celtics only lost three games by 10 points or more during the 2007-08 regular season.
Paul Pierce leads the Celtics, averaging 18.7 points per game, but Ray Allen has gotten off to a slow start, averaging 10.7. Opponents have made just 37.3 percent of their shots in the season’s first three games.
Kevin Garnett averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds against Houston last season. Yao had 19 points with 13 rebounds in his only game against Boston.
Houston may be without one of its best defenders tonight as swingman Shane Battier (foot) is questionable. The Rockets haven’t been 4-0 since 1996-97, when it won six straight to start a 57-win season.
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