NBA: Houston Rockets are riding high as they take on the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics edged the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, and they did it without star guard Ray Allen, and it's likely that the C's will be without Allen as they take on the Houston Rockets. The Rockets already own the second longest win streak in NBA history, at 22 games, but more importantly they take over the no. 1 seed in the Western Conference standings. But back on New Year's Day, the Rockets were a sub-.500 team that seemed headed for a disappointing finish to the season. The key to the turn around has been their defense. Houston's defensive efficiency mark has jumped to 98.1, putting the Rockets far in front of the every team except the Boston Celtics, who remain No. 1 by a mile. During the 22-game win streak, their numbers have been even better -- Houston is allowing just 95.1 points per game. The anchor of that defense...finish the rest of the story at www.rawsportsblog.com