Tuesday, November 4th (All times eastern)

Boston Celtics (2-1) at Houston Rockets (3-0), 8:30 p.m.

(Sports Network) - The defending NBA champion Boston Celtics attempt to rebound from their first loss in the 2008-09 season when they continue a three-game road swing against Houston at the Toyota Center.

The last time the Celtics visited Houston, they ended the Rockets' franchise- record 22-game winning streak with an easy 94-74 win in March, although the Rockets were without star center Yao Ming.

This time the Rockets are attempting to start the season with four straight wins for the first time since 1996-97.

Boston was trounced in its first road game of the season Saturday when Indiana's Danny Granger overcame the loss of two teeth by scoring 20 points to lead the Pacers to a rather easy 95-79 win at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday.

Granger, who was not wearing a mouth guard, had his front two teeth knocked out while battling Celtics forward Paul Pierce for a loose ball in the fourth quarter. Despite the injury, the forward stayed in the game and made life miserable for the Celts.

Kevin Garnett had a team-high 18 points and 14 rebounds for Boston, which had won their first two games of the season at home. Pierce added 15 points and 10 rebounds, but Boston shot a dismal 34.6 percent from the field in defeat.

The Rockets have been perfect in the early going, moving to 3-0 when Tracy McGrady led six Houston players in double figures with 22 points, as the Rockets posted an 89-77 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday.

Yao added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Houston, which has won each of their games by at least 10 points. Carl Landry came off the bench to score 14 points and grab 11 boards for the Rockets.

Houston defensive specialist Shane Battier, who has been on the sidelines with a balky ankle, is questionable for the game.

Boston swept the season series between the two clubs last season, winning both games, and has won three of its past four games against the Rockets.

11/04 10:31:00 ET