2012 NBA schedule: Rockets face Celtics on ESPN Friday, Raptors on Sunday

The Houston Rockets host the 12-9 Boston Celtics on Friday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN, and it will tip at 7 p.m. CT. Houston was finally able to get a win after losing three straight games. On the other hand, the Celtics have not been playing all that great by going 6-5 over the past two weeks.

However, the Rockets have issues with James Harden and Jeremy Lin as both are nursing ankle injuries, and each player is considered to day-to-day.

The big game on Friday is the second game of ESPN's double header which is a 9:30 p.m. tip between the Denver Nuggets and the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzles have the third-best Western Conference record while the Nuggets are just an average team overall, but they a very good team at home with a 5-1 record. With the Grizzles losing three of their last five, the Nuggets have a good shot at winning this game.

The Rockets get back to action on Sunday with what should be an easy game against the Toronto Raptors. Toronto is approaching the 20-loss mark this season and are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. This game is an early 12 p.m. tip and can be seen on Comcast Sports Houston. The last time these two teams met the Rockets easily won 117-101, and unless Lin and Harden are still hurt, Houston should come out victorious.

For a complete NBA schedule, visit SI.com.