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I don’t know about you, but I had Wednesday night’s Houston-Boston matchup circled on the NBA calendar when the 2008-09 schedule was released, but both of these teams are slumping heading into the one-time potential NBA Finals preview.

Houston enters on a three-game losing streak and six straight on the road after falling 104-96 at Philly on Tuesday night. Philly shot 56.2 percent, and in the Rockets’ past eight games, their opponents have made 49.5 percent of their shots, which over the course of a season would be the worst field goal percentage defense in the NBA.

“For whatever reason, we’ve taken steps back on the defensive end,” Houston’s Tracy McGrady said.

Forward Ron Artest, the team’s second-leading scorer (at 16.0 ppg), missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle, but the Houston training staff was optimistic Artest would return in time to play tonight against the Celtics. He is officially questionable, as is fellow forward Shane Battier, who also sat out Tuesday, his fourth straight game missed.

Will Tracy McGrady play? He generally now sits out the second half of back-to-backs and is expected to do so tonight. That likely kills Houston’s hopes unless Yao Ming has a huge game and Artest plays.



Boston once was invincible but has dropped two games in a row, including a surprising loss Tuesday night at Charlotte. Boston has dropped five of its last seven games after winning a club-record 19 straight to complete the first 27-2 start in NBA history. Since that 92-83 loss to the Lakers on Christmas Day, the Celtics have failed to win back-to-back games.

But the Celtics are 18-1 at home and have won 13 straight there. The Celtics have averaged 93.3 points in their last six road games, but they’re scoring 108.1 per game during their home winning streak. .

Key reserve guard Tony Allen missed Tuesday’s game with a right ankle injury, and he is doubtful against Houston.

The Rockets have won five of their past seven games in Boston, but were swept in last season’s games. Kevin Garnett averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds in those two games.

WagerWeb.com Key Trends

* Rockets are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.
* Rockets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
* Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
* Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
* Rockets are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
* Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Rockets are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
* Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Wednesday games.
* Rockets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games.
* Celtics are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Southwest.
* Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Celtics are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.
* Celtics are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 vs. Western Conference.
* Celtics are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss.
* Celtics are 49-22-1 ATS in their last 72 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Celtics are 22-10 ATS in their last 32 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Celtics are 31-15-1 ATS in their last 47 games playing on 0 days rest.
* Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games.
* Celtics are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
* Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
* Rockets are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Boston.
* Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Boston.
* Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
* Road team is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

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