BOSTON — The Celtics will be shorthanded as they take on the second-place Rockets and former coach Ime Udoka. Derrick White (right shin contusion) and Sam Hauser (right hip impingement) were both downgraded to out on the injury report for the 7:30 p.m. Monday game at TD Garden.
Fortunately for the Celtics, Al Horford was upgraded from questionable to available with his left big toe sprain. The Rockets downgraded Cam Whitmore from questionable to out because of an illness.
The Celtics will be down two rotation players, so expect C’s coach Joe Mazzulla to dip into his bench. The last time the Celtics were shorthanded like this, Jaden Springer emerged off the bench in an impressive game against the Clippers in Los Angeles. Jordan Walsh and Baylor Scheierman could also see some playing time in the rotation.
The Rockets come into town with a 30-14 record as they’ve had a great season under Udoka. He’s in his second season in Houston and has his team in second place in the West.
The C’s blew out the Rockets the last time the teams met back on Jan. 3 in a 109-86 victory. The Rockets, though, are 10-2 since that game and are coming off two straight wins over the East-best Cavaliers.
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