(Sports Network) - The Boston Celtics have gotten plenty of rest since
Wednesday's double-overtime win and they'll need it when they head to Houston
to face the Rockets Friday.
The Celtics pulled out a 117-115 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, but
several Boston players logged heavy minutes to do so. Rajon Rondo played over
52 minutes, but had 16 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds.
Paul Pierce led the way for the Celts with 34 points in 44 minutes. Jason
Terry only had 10 points against his former team, but inched up on 48 minutes.
Kevin Garnett also went over the 40-minute mark in getting 16 points.
"I felt good, I felt like this is our chance," said Pierce. "We didn't want to
let this one get away. Especially with a huge road trip coming up this is a
big win for us ... When the game is tight - the type of game that was going on
tonight - I'm really caught up in the game, not really thinking about my
minutes."
The Celtics embark on a three-game road trip with stops in Houston, San
Antonio and Chicago.
Statistically, the Celtics are not the defensive juggernaut they once were.
Boston ranks 16th in points allowed and 20th in opponents' field-goal
percentage.
That could be problematic against a Rockets team that is third in points
scored.
Houston has gone over the 100-point mark in six of its last nine and, in two
of those, the Rockets went for 130-plus.
The Rockets only scored 99 in a six-point victory Wednesday at home versus the
Washington Wizards. James Harden paced the Rockets with 31 points, while Omer
Asik only had nine points, but pulled down 16 rebounds.
This matchup brings back a lot of memories for Rockets coach Kevin McHale. He
played his entire 13-year, Hall of Fame career with the Celtics and remains
close friends with Danny Ainge, the president of basketball operations for
Boston.
"There are too many memories," said McHale, who is 1-2 since returning to the
team on Dec. 8. "I had a great time. I had a great career. I always say I was
blessed to be in the league at a great time and play with great players and
play for a great manager in Red (Auerbach) and great coaches. It was truly a
blessing."
McHale was also the man who drafted Garnett with the fifth pick in the 1995
NBA Draft when he was general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Celtics won last season's lone matchup, but the Rockets won the three
before that.
The Sports Network