Rockets' Thin Backcourt Meets a Celtics Team Sorting Out Its Own Absences

By NBA Stat Desk How we produce articles

Houston's guard and center losses make this closer than the home court suggests, but Alperen Sengun's return gives the Rockets an anchor.

BOS @ HOU Nov 3, 2026 at 1:30 AM UTC

Houston's guard rotation is the biggest storyline in this matchup. Fred VanVleet's knee issue has left his availability in doubt, and one report had him ruled out for Houston's previous game. Reed Sheppard is also listed as questionable with back soreness. If both miss, the Rockets will have very little ball-handling and pace control, and Boston can pressure that group.

The frontcourt picture is a little better for Houston. Steven Adams is out with a calf injury and is week-to-week, so the Rockets have no traditional backup at center. Alperen Sengun is a different story. He missed two games with low back soreness, but he came off the injury report entirely after sitting out in Dallas and returned. With Adams out, Houston will lean on him as both scorer and playmaker, and that matters even more with the guards limited.

Boston has its own questions. Devin Carter is out with illness, although one source says he has rejoined the team, so his absence thins the guard depth. Mitchell Robinson was tagged with a rest-related designation on the previous date, which makes his role in the middle worth checking before tip. If Robinson is limited, Boston loses some of its rim protection and rebounding against Sengun.

Both teams are short-handed, and the difference is where. Houston is missing more at guard and at backup center, but it has home court and a healthy Sengun to build the offense around. I expect a grind-it-out game that Houston wins late by leaning on Sengun's touches, free throws and a few timely stops.

Prediction: Rockets 107, Celtics 103.

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