The Rockets have opened a new season like a team racing out of the tunnel, and Monday night brings their biggest early visitor. Houston was 6-1 through Oct. 31, while Boston stood 4-1, setting up a clash between two teams that have filled the scoreboard and chased every loose ball. At 8:30 p.m. EST, the Celtics arrive in Houston with Jayson Tatum leading a fresh chapter, while Alperen Sengun keeps proving that a center can be the clever engine of an attack.

Houston’s 119-98 win over Oklahoma City on Saturday showed the force behind its 6-1 start. The Rockets score 120.7 points per game and have won by an average of 12.4 points. That wide gap shows they have often controlled games instead of merely escaping them. They also shoot 49.2 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range, so defenders must guard the paint and the arc.

Sengun makes that challenge especially tricky. He uses fakes, spins, and soft shots near the hoop, but his passing turns him into a playmaker from the post. His 7.4 assists per game are a huge number for a big player, and they show how often teammates move when he has the ball. Kevin Durant adds a calm scoring option who can shoot over defenders, while Amen Thompson brings speed, rebounding, and the ability to guard several spots. Houston’s 9.7 steals per game can turn one rushed pass into a fast break.

Yet Boston has its own wave of skill and pressure. The Celtics have scored 120.8 points per game through five contests, just a hair above Houston’s total. Their recent wins over Chicago and Brooklyn showed both sides of their personality: Boston can run away from an opponent, but it can also stay composed in a one-point finish.

Tatum is the main character in that story. He averages 27.6 points and 7.8 assists, meaning he is not only hunting his own shots but also setting up teammates. His three-point shot has not fallen often yet, at 25 percent, so Houston will try to make every long look difficult. If Tatum attacks the rim and finds open teammates, the Celtics can crack Houston’s active defense.

Paul George gives Boston another smooth wing scorer and a tough defender. His 2.4 steals per game help explain why the Celtics can disrupt plays without needing a block at the rim. Derrick White adds smart passing and hard-nosed defense, while Mitchell Robinson’s size could matter against Sengun. Boston will need Robinson and its other big players to rebound well, because Houston grabs 45.1 boards per game and thrives on extra chances.

This game may swing on the battle around Sengun. If Boston can keep him from finding cutters and shooters, Tatum and George have enough firepower to make it tight. Still, Houston’s deeper early-season rhythm, home floor, and stronger work on the glass give it a slim edge. Prediction: the Rockets win.

Alperen Sengun and Jayson Tatum Bring Fast Starts to Houston