Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 3 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Boston Celtics will square off against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Friday. This will be the first of two meetings between these two teams this season.

The Celtics, who won their 18th championship last June, currently have the league's third-best record at 25-9. They have won three of their last four games, including a thrilling 118-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Thursday.

The Rockets, meanwhile, are No. 3 in the Western Conference standings by virtue of their 22-11 record. They're coming off a 110-99 win over the Luka Donic-less Dallas Mavericks on New Year's Day.

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Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets: Injury report

Boston Celtics injury report

Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) and Jaylen Brown (shoulder) are both deemed questionable for the game against the Rockets. Neither player saw action on the court in the Celtics-Timberwolves game.

Houston Rockets injury report

Amen Thompson will sit out the second and final game of his suspension, which stems from his involvement in a physical altercation during the Dec. 29 Houston Rockets-Miami Heat game. Meanwhile, Tari Eason (lower leg) is ruled as doubtful and Jock Landale (knee) is considered questionable.

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Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets: Predicted starting lineups and depth chart

Boston Celtics

Starters	2nd unit	3rd unit
Jrue Holiday	Payton Pritchard
Derrick White	Jaden Springer
Sam Hauser	Jordan Walsh	Drew Peterson
Jayson Tatum	Xavier Tillman
Al Horford	Luke Kornet	Neemias Queta

Houston Rockets

Starters	2nd unit
Fred VanVleet	Aaron Holiday
Jalen Green	Reed Sheppard
Dillon Brooks	Cam Whitmore
Jabari Smith Jr.	Jae'Sean Tate
Alperen Sengun	Jeff Green

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Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets: Key matchups

Jrue Holiday vs Fred VanVleet

The point guard position features an outstanding matchup between two hardworking floor generals who are capable of dominating both ends of the floor. Jrue Holiday and Fred VanVleet set the tone defensively for their respective teams, and they can get plenty of buckets for themselves as well. If this game goes down the wire, look for both guards to orchestrate their team's finishing kick.

Derrick White vs Jalen Green

If Jrue Holiday vs Fred VanVleet will be a defensive grind, Derrick White vs Jalen Green is a classic clash of styles. Green is leading the Rockets with his 19.4 points per game, while White is a reputed defender whose versatility was crucial in the Celtics' conquest of the 2024 NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum vs Dillon Brooks

The frontcourt offers another interesting offense vs defense matchup as Dillon Brooks looks to contain Jayson Tatum. As talented as Brooks is (in terms of both physical mobility and psychological warfare), he'll have his hands full with the multifaceted Tatum, whose career-best numbers in rebounds (9.5) and assists (5.5) go well with his 28.3 points a night.