Houston @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 25, 2017 ) Houston 109, Boston 120

Two of the top three teams in the NBA square off on Thursday, when the Houston Rockets visit the Boston Celtics. Houston owns the second-best record in the league and will be looking to halt a three-game slide when it takes on the Celtics, who possess the third-best mark.

The Rockets were sailing along with 14 consecutive wins but lost back-to-back home games to the two Los Angeles teams (Lakers and Clippers) before dropping a Christmas Day contest in Oklahoma City. The status of Chris Paul (left adductor strain) remains uncertain, and Houston is 15-1 with the point guard in the lineup and 10-6 when he sits out. Boston experienced its own rough patch with three setbacks in a four-game span before registering a crisp 102-91 victory at Charlotte on Wednesday. Kyrie Irving scored 21 points and Al Horford recorded 20 and 11 rebounds in the triumph.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T SportsNet-Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (25-7): Houston isn't known for its defense, but it has been a troublesome component during the skid as the team has allowed an average of 120.7 points over the three games. The offense continues to click at an impressive rate as the Rockets have scored 100 or more points in 25 consecutive games and rank first in scoring at 115.1 per contest. Star guard James Harden leads the NBA with an average of 32.4 points, and he recorded 29 - and 14 assists - against Oklahoma City after scoring 51 in each of the previous two games.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (28-10): Rookie small forward Jayson Tatum scored 18 points in the victory over the Hornets, with 10 of them coming in the fourth quarter. Tatum is averaging 16.3 points over his last seven contests and is starting to really hit his stride as the campaign nears the midway point. "It comes with the amount games we've played," Tatum told reporters. "Each and every day, I'm getting more comfortable and getting into a rhythm."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Rockets are 19-44 all-time at Boston.

2. Houston C Clint Capela (right orbital fracture) will miss at least the next two games.

3. Boston swingman Jaylen Brown (knee) sat out Wednesday and is questionable to play against the Rockets.

PREDICTION: Celtics 124, Rockets 119