No. 2 Houston brings a 3-0 home record and the league’s stronger early scoring profile into a clash with 5-1 Boston.
Both teams arrive among the league’s top three in the power index: Houston is No. 2 at 6-1, while Boston sits No. 3 at 5-1. The Rockets are 3-0 at home and average 120.7 points with a plus-87 differential; the Celtics average 118.7 with a plus-57 margin. The key matchup is Boston’s Jayson Tatum, with 170 points and 46 assists in six games, against Houston’s Kevin Durant, who has 154 points in seven, while Jabari Smith Jr.’s 21 made threes give the Rockets another major scoring threat. Houston’s ability to sustain its scoring edge against Boston’s 109.2 points allowed per game could decide whether the Rockets protect their unbeaten home mark or the Celtics strengthen their 5-1 start.