Boston Celtics (5-1) at Houston Rockets (6-1) Game #7 11/2/26
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Boston Celtics (5-1) at Houston Rockets (6-1) Game #7 11/2/26
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 04: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets battles with Hugo González #28 of the Boston Celtics for the ball in the first half at Toyota Center on February 04, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Shirley Coshatt·SB Nation
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9 min read
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Boston Celtics (5-1) at Houston Rockets (6-1) Monday, November 2, 2026 8:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #7, Road Game #3 TV: NBCSB, Space City Home Network, NBA-LP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 790 AM, Sirius XM Toyota Center
The Celtics look for their 6th straight win as they travel to Houston to take on the Rockets. This is the second of back to back games for the Celtics and the first back to back set on the road. The Celtics are 1-0 so far in the second of back to back games. This is the first of 2 games between these two teams this season. They will play again on January 11 in Boston.
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The Celtics were 1-1 last year against the Rockets, with each team winning on the road. The Celtics are 99-58 ovrerall all time against the Rockets. They are 43-34 when playing at Houston. This will be a tough game against a very good team. The Rockets have won 6 of their first 7 games, losing only at Dallas and beating Dallas, Atlanta and OKC at home and San Antonio, Atlanta and Milwaukee on the road.
The Rockets were a good team last season but have gotten better in the off season. Fred VanVleet has returned from a torn ACL that kept him out last season. They signed Marcus Smart, who will help to bolster their defense. They also signed Bogdan Bogdanovic, who will give them another 3 point shooter. They drafted Bruce Thornton with the 31st pick in the draft. They lost Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie.
After this game, the Celtics will return home to host Milwaukee before a road trip that will take them through Charlotte, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Toronto. They play Dallas and Orlando at home before a West coast trip that takes them through Denver, Sacramento, Golden State, and Washington. They then play one game at home against Atlanta before playing at San Antonio and Dallas.
After this game the Rockets will host Minnesota before playing at Phoenix. Next they have a 3 game home stand against Denver, Golden State, and Utah. Then they go on the road for 4 games through Washington, Miami , Indiana, and Denver. Next, they host the LA Clippers, Phoenix, Philadelphia, the LA Lakers, and Toronto.
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The Celtics started Derrick White, Jordan Walsh, Paul George, Jayson Tatum and Mitchell Robinson in the first 5 games. In their last game against the Magic, they started White, Gonzalez, George, Tatum and Queta. I'm guessing that Gonzalez once again starts and that Robinson will return to the starting lineup after a game off for rest. I'm guessing that Houston starts their regular lineup of Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith, Jr, and Alperin Sengun.
For the Celtics, Devin Carter remains on the injury report due to illness. After missing the final 3 games of the preseason, Carter was diagnosed with mononucleosis and is without a timetable for a return. Mitchell Robinson missed Sunday's game for rest and I expect him to return for this game. Joe may choose to sit out other players for rest in this game but at this time the injury report is not out. For Houston, Steven Adams is out with a calf injury. Reed Sheppard (back) and Clint Capela (ankle) are both questionable.
Probable Starting MatchupsPG: Derrick White vs Fred VanVleet
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Hugo Gonzalez vs Amen Thompson
Hugo Gonzalez | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Kevin Durant
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty Images
PF: Jayson Tatum vs Jabari Smith, Jr
Jayson Tatum | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Mitchell Robinson vs Alperen Sengun
Mitchell Robinson | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Chris Cenac, Jr Mike Conley, Jr Luka Garza Hugo Gonzalez Ron Harper, Jr Payton Pritchard Neemias Queta Baylor Scheierman
Two Way Players Devin Carter Dillon Mitchell Amari Williams
Injuries/Out Devin Carter (illness) out Paul George (rest) out
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Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Houston Rockets Reserves Bruce Thornton Jae'Sean Tate Tari Eason Isaiah Crawford Bogdan Bogdanovic Marcus Smart
Key Matchups Sam Hauser vs Kevin Durant Durant is averaging 22.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 blocks per game. He is shooting 51.1% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. With Paul George out for rest, I'm guessing that Sam Hauser gets the start, but it could just as easily be Jordan Walsh for his defense on Durant. Whoever starts here, the Celtics need to Defend Durant very closely.
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Mitchell Robinson vs Alperen Sengun Sengun is averaging 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 53.2% from the field and 54.5% on threes. He is dangerous to score from both inside and on the perimeter. The Celtics need to defend him well and box out on rebounds if they want to win this game.
Honorable Mention Jayson Tatum vs Jabari Smith, Jr Smith has been playing very well. He is averaging 19 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1 steal per game. He is shooting 48.9% from the field and 44.7% from beyond the arc. He is a very good 3 point shooter and so the Celtics need to defend him well on the perimeter. Tatum needs to continue to play well for the Celtics to be at their best.
6th Man Matchup Payton Pritchard vs Marcus Smart Smart played for the Celtics for 9 seasons after being selected 6th in the 2014 draft. He won Defensive Player of the Year with the Celtics in 2022 and remains a very good defensive player. He is Houston's 6th Man but starts when VanVleet sits out for rest. He is averaging 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds,. 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 57.1% from the field and 47.4% from beyond the arc. Payton Pritchard is the Celtics 6th Man, winning the 2024-25 6th Man of the Year. He is averaging 16.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 48.1% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc.
Keys to the Game Defense– Defense is always a key to winning. Players struggle on offense in some games, but they can always play defense. The Rockets have an offensive rating of 121.2 (1st). The Celtics have an offensive rating of 118.0 (5th). The Rockets are 9th with a defensive rating of 108.9 while the Celtics are 7th with a defensive rating of 108.1. The Celtics have to stick to their defensive identity in this one because the Rockets play tough defense and the Celtics can't depend on a shoot out to win since the Rockets are a very good offensive team.
Rebound– In order to score, the Celtics need the ball and to get the ball, they will need to crash the boards as a team. The Celtics average 43.6 rebounds per game (19th) while the Rockets average 45.3 rebounds per game (11th). Much of rebounding is effort and when the Celtics put out extra effort on the boards, it usually carries over into the rest of their game. The Rockets average 16.0 second chance points per game. The Rockets are a very good rebounding team and so the Celtics must come into the game determined to put out extra effort and to hustle for every rebound to limit 2nd chance points for the Rockets.
Be Aggressive and Stay Focused– The Celtics have to be aggressive in taking the ball to the basket and not settling for 3 pointers on every possession, especially if the 3s aren't falling. They also have to be aggressive in hustling for rebounds and for loose balls. And they have to be aggressive on defense. They have to play harder than the Rockets and play like the team that wants this game more. They also need to carry that aggressiveness through all 4 quarters with no let up. They also need to stay focused on taking good shots and making them. They have to keep their focus on playing team ball.
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Depth– The Celtics need to lean on their depth for this game. It is the second of back to back games and so they will need the reserves to play well to take some of the pressure off of the starters. This will especially be true if Joe decides to sit any of the vets for rest. Even if everyone plays, fatigue could be a problem down the stretch if the reserves can't give them good minutes and keep the Celtics in the game while the starters rest.
X-Factors Back to Back Road Game– The Celtics are on the road where they are 1-1 so far, losing to Detroit on opening night and beating the Magic on Monday. The Celtics are playing on the second night of back to back games while the Rockets are at home and rested. The Celtics had to travel, stay in a hotel, play in front of a hostile crowd and on an unfamiliar court while the Rockets should get a boost from being on their home court. They need to shake off the distractions of playing on the road and stay focused on playing team ball.
Coaching– The Rockets are led by former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, who left Boston under less than desirable circumstances. He was suspended for violating team rules and assistant coach Joe Mazzulla was made interim coach. Eventually, Udoka was officially released and Mazzulla was made head coach. I am sure that Udoka would love nothing more than to once again beat the team that let him go after he led that team to the Finals. And, Joe just wants to win every single game no matter who the opposing coach is.
Officiating– Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game. The Celtics also have to be aware of the new points of emphasis for this season and try to avoid off‑arm push‑offs, reckless closeouts, delays before free throws illegal screens and especially flopping. Paul George was already fined for a flop in the first game and there have been several other flopping calls as well.
