The Boston Celtics lost 102-100 to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at TD Garden, their first home setback of the season following a franchise-record 20-0 start.
Sunday’s rematch with the Houston Rockets will provide the C’s, who lead the NBA standings with a 32-10 record, a chance to get back on track and begin their three-game road trip with a victory.
In Ime Udoka’s return to TD Garden on Sunday, Boston defeated the hosts with a resounding 145-113 victory.
Due to a recent right elbow strain, Jrue Holiday will not be playing for the visiting squad as the two clubs wrap off their regular-season series.
Against the Nuggets on Friday, the two-time All-Star finished with seven points, three assists, and two rebounds.
Moreover sidelined for the first half of this back-to-back is Al Horford (rest). Against the reigning champions, the former Florida Gator finished with six points, ten rebounds, and two assists.
However, the 16-year veteran won’t suit up for this road trip until the Celtics play Luka Doncic, Grant Williams, and Kyrie Irving, their former colleagues, on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Rockets’ game against Boston in the second part of a back-to-back, which they won 127-126 in overtime against the Utah Jazz, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EST on Sunday.Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. Follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.