There is no question the Houston Rockets have been good, even great, during their 22-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA history.
But they've also been somewhat lucky. They faced Dallas when Dirk Nowitzki was out due to a suspension and played the Lakers when Pau Gasol was out with an injury. Tonight, they appear likely to catch another break when they face the team with the NBA's best record, the Boston Celtics, who are 4.5-point betting underdogs at WagerWeb.com.
Boston is expected to be without All-Star sharpshooter Ray Allen for the game.
As of this writing Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he doubted Allen would be ready to face Houston after also not playing in Monday's win over San Antonio.
Nursing a bruised heel, Allen played only 12 minutes in the Celtics' loss to Utah on Friday and missed Saturday's win at Milwaukee in addition to Monday's game.
Relying on newly acquired Sam Cassell down the stretch on Monday, the Celtics rallied to beat the Spurs 93-91. Cassell finished with 17 points in his most productive game with Boston.
Tony Allen replaced Allen, who is averaging 18.3 points and 4.0 rebounds, in the starting lineup on Monday, but point guards Cassell and Rajon Rondo saw plenty of time together. Rondo had 20 points and six rebounds.
Houston hasn't lost since falling to Utah on Jan. 27, snapping a four-game run. The Rockets now only trail the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers for the longest win streak in league history - that team won 33 in a row on the way to the NBA title.
"We're getting it every night from different guys," said Houston's Rafer Alston, averaging 15.7 points, 6.6 assists and just 2.0 turnovers during the streak. "We can call a play for Tracy (McGrady), but everyone is still involved in that play. We're all moving, the ball's hopping. That says a lot about us and our team and how everyone has turned their games up."The Celtics, who are 13-2 in the second half of back-to-back games, have won 12 of their last 13 overall and already have more victories than they've had in any season since 1990-91.
Boston won its first meeting with Houston 97-93 on Jan. 2 behind 26 points from Kevin Garnett. Alston had 18 for the Rockets, who were playing without McGrady because of a knee injury.
Boston actually wanted the Rockets' win streak to be intact by the time it hit Houston. Tonight's game, incidentally, has been picked up by TNT and moved to 9:30 p.m. for maximum national TV exposure.
The Rockets have met more than a few challenges along the way, including the loss of Yao Ming. "I'm definitely surprised," Boston's Paul Pierce said. "I'm surprised at any team that can accomplish that type of feat. To win 22 games in a row the way the NBA is, especially in the Western Conference, that's a hell of a feat. Even winning 10 games in a row these days is great."
| ATS | Boston | Houston |
| Record: | 53-13-0 (.803) | 46-20-0 (.697) |
| As Favorite: | 48-10-0 (.828) | 36-13-0 (.735) |
| As Underdog: | 5-3-0 (.625) | 10-7-0 (.588) |
| At Home: | 29-5-0 (.853) | 26-9-0 (.743) |
| On Road: | 24-8-0 (.750) | 20-11-0 (.645) |
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