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Houston Rockets: 3 must-win games in the month of December

By Gavriel Wilkins

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 7: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets looks on in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 7, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 7: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets looks on in the first half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 7, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Rockets @ Boston Celtics — Dec. 28

Despite losing Gordon Hayward to a gruesome ankle injury on opening night, the Boston Celtics have still managed to post the second-best record in basketball through the first quarter of the season, and are showing why many regard them as the biggest threat to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.

Kyrie Irving is in the midst of producing an MVP-caliber campaign, averaging 24 points and 4.8 assists per game in his first season with the Celtics. Rookie small forward Jayson Tatum has proven to be a big-time contributor, filling the void of Hayward in the starting lineup.

The former Duke Blue Devils star is currently averaging 14.3 points per game for Boston, and shooting 51 percent from the field. As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, he’s found a way to grow up rather quickly under head coach Brad Stevens.

While many basketball fans might look at this as just an interconference showdown, the upcoming contest between the Rockets and Celtics could possibly make for a potential NBA Finals preview. The two teams will only play one another twice this season, and with this matchup being featured on TNT, we could likely see a performance for the ages between Harden and Irving in Beantown.

Houston will most certainly have to bring its best effort, as Boston has only dropped two games at home to date, and features the best defense in the league.

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