Rockets Can Maintain Grip on Western Conference by Beating Celtics
The Houston Rockets are streaking right now, and that has kept them ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference. It is expected that the Warriors will eventually overpower the Rockets and take control, but perhaps not this weekend. The Boston Celtics visit the Rockets on Saturday night, in what looks to be a very tough road game for the second-best team in the East.
The Houston Rockets have won their last 14 games as they look to build momentum ahead of a playoff push. Along with the Warriors, they look set to dominate the Western playoffs this season, with challengers to those two teams failing to perform well enough to trouble them. The Warriors are the superior team on paper and will head into the playoffs as heavy favourites, but if the Rockets can keep playing strongly until the end of the season and ensure a first or second place finish, they may just have a chance of causing an upset.
The Boston Celtics have a lot of exciting talent on their roster, so much so that many are tipping them to eventually take over from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the East over the next year or two. They are currently second in the standings behind the Toronto Raptors, with the Cavs behind in third so expect to see a good battle between those three for the final positions in the East over the next few weeks.
The Celtics have managed to win their last four games, although their overall record in their last ten games is only 6-4. They have improved since the all-star break, and look to be getting back to their best at just the right time. However, having said that, this trip to Houston is as tough as it gets right now, and I see nothing other than a win for the Rockets in this game. They have been in great recent form, and they are firmly fixed on having a battle with the Warriors in the west.
This will be a close game, but ultimately I think the Houston Rockets will be too strong and they will be able to beat the Boston Celtics. The winning margin will not be huge, but I am expecting to see the Rockets win this game by around four to eight points on Saturday night.
