Celtics (43-24) at Rockets (35-31)
Game time: 8:30pm, Toyota Center, Houston. TV - CSN. Radio - WEEI-AM (850)
Team Leaders
Scoring
Bos: Pierce - 17.7 Rockets: Kevin Martin - 22.9
Rebounding
Bos: Perkins - 7.7 Rockets: Luis Scola - 8.9
Assists
Bos: Rondo - 9.7 Rockets: Aaron Brooks - 5.2
Who'll go off: Kendrick Perkins & Kevin Garnett. Houston starts 6-6 Chuck Hayes at C and 6-9 Luis Scola at PF. If the Celtics pound the paint, they should score at will. Rajon Rondo should also be extra aggressive with penetration.
Who needs to be stopped: The red hot Aaron Brooks. He's averaging 24.3 ppg for the month of March. He's coming off a 31 point, 7-7 3FG game vs Memphis. He leads the league in 3s. Rondo needs to stick to this guy like glue.
The C's will lose if... The Rockets might have a small front court, but they are a scrappy bunch who can rebound. They are 3rd in the league in offensive rebounds. Guys like Shane Battier, Trevor Ariza and Luis Scola aren't afraid to mix it up. The Celtics will need 5-hour energy drinks for this one.
Miscellany: Paul Pierce has made 15-of-23 shots and scored 44 points in 41 minutes the last two games. The Rockets have won 4 straight and scored 116, 125 and 107 in the last three.
Prediction: Celtics 113 - Rockets 106