Doc Rivers and his men are visiting Boston to take on his old team. It’s also an exciting clash between rising swingmen Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and established superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George

HOME TEAM: Boston Celtics (37-16, 22-5 at home)

The Celtics saw their seven-game winning streak evaporate on Wednesday as they got blasted by the Houston Rockets, 115-106. The defense had no answer for James Harden and Russell Westbrook, who combined for 78 points.

All-Stars Jayson Tatum (22.1 PPG) and Kemba Walker (21.8 PPG), two of the team’s top scorers, had a long, forgettable night as they collectively shot just 10-for-32 from the floor. The next key scorers, Jaylen Brown (20.2 PPG) and Gordon Hayward (17.2 PPG), shot above 50% scored 19 and 20 points, respectively, but it was an obvious blimp to what their Houston counterparts did.

Aside from Tatum and Walker needing to be more precise, the entire defensive scheme is also pressured to bounce back. It’s in a marquee match-up once again and will be expected to prove that it is worthy of being ranked as one of the league’s best (Boston is currently top three in points allowed and efficiency).

ROAD TEAM: LA Clippers (37-17, 15-12 on the road)

The Clippers failed to pile dirt on the Philadelphia 76ers rocky stretch this past Wednesday. They ended up being one of the many victims of the Sixers’ magic at home, 110-103.

Kawhi Leonard was classic Kawhi Leonard, scoring a game-high 30 points to go along nine assists, one steal, and a pair of blocks, but his partner, Paul George, wasn’t able to follow suit and only went 3-for-15 for 11 points.

George (22.3 PPG) has had plenty of similar shooting nights all season and he should be able to establish a rhythm soon. He’s in an exciting head-to-head battle with Tatum and/or Brown, two mirror images of his younger, up-and-coming self from years back, so that might wake him up.

Lou Williams (19.2 PPG) and Montrezl Harrell (18.7 PPG) headline the supporting cast, but newcomer Marcus Morris, an ex-Celtic and ever-aggressive forward, could suddenly be the most productive in the group tomorrow. He had 11.5 PPG in his first two games as a Clipper.

PREDICTION:

The Clippers get back on the win column with a gritty 112-109 victory. Kawhi delivers again and Paul George will make up for his quiet showing from the previous game and leads the Clippers in scoring.