When these teams faced off just eight days ago, the Houston Rockets were coming off a challenging victory and navigating the second night of a back-to-back. On the other hand, the Boston Celtics enjoyed a day of rest and were eager to avenge a recent defeat.

In a familiar tune, the Rockets played and triumphed in overtime last night against the Utah Jazz. This victory held significant weight for the Rockets, marking their first overtime win and their initial triumph when allowing 120 or more points. 

The match against the Jazz, who are likely close in the standings, added extra significance to the win. However, tonight’s game may see the Rockets without Jabari Smith Jr., who appeared to twist his left ankle during a defensive rebound attempt. 

Despite the injury, he managed to stay on the court, making a crucial free throw that ultimately decided the game. Nevertheless, he did not return to play afterwards.

On the other side, the Boston Celtics saw their undefeated home record come to an end in a closely contested game against the Denver Nuggets, resulting in a 102-100 loss. The defeat has left the Celtics hungry for redemption and, with more rest than the Rockets, they are poised for a strong performance. 

For Celtics fans, this sets the stage for an exciting matchup, as their team seeks to bounce back from the recent loss.