Boston Celtics: 5 reasons why tonight’s game against Rockets is “must-win”

Reason #4 why the Boston Celtics must win tonight: Rockets turmoil

Look, the Boston Celtics are no stranger to a little locker-room drama, but the Houston Rockets have been a bigger PR mess this season than just about any NBA team in recent memory.

There was the James Harden trade drama that started in the preseason surrounding his apparent commandeering nature of how the franchise needed to operate and how it needed to cater to his specific needs.

Then there were John Wall’s comments about the team’s situation following the blockbuster Harden deal once the losing started to begin in earnest (WARNING: NSFW content):

That the team is now sitting out P.J. Tucker so he can find a new home after releasing DeMarcus Cousins due to a poor fit. While the Cs have known dysfunction throughout the past few years, this is different because it is accompanied by a lot of losing.

Losing to a team embroiled in this much turmoil would be a disastrous look.

Reason #5 why the Boston Celtics must win tonight: Who is suiting up for Houston?

Houston trotted out the following starting lineup on Friday night against the Jazz:

Kevin Porter Jr., Ben McLemore, Sterling Brown, Jae’Sean Tate, Justin Patton.

Two of those players were acquired midseason, with Porter Jr. and Patton both being cut by their previous teams (Cleveland, Milwaukee respectively). Ben McLemore is on a minimum contract, and ditto for Sterling Brown.

Tate is a rookie with promise, but he wouldn’t be starting on just about any other team. This is not the sort of outfit that should be giving the Cs trouble tonight.

If they do, then there are going to be a lot more must-win games in the coming weeks.