NBA-LEADING CELTICS DEFEAT ROCKETS 116-107
The NBA-best record team Boston CelticsĀ defeated the struggling Houston Rockets 116-107 on Sunday night behind 32 points from Kristaps Porzingis.
After suffering their first home loss of the season on Friday night against Denver, the Celtics improved to 33-10. Boston is 13-9 away from home and 20-1 at home.
Boston Celtics led by 25 points to 35 points in the first quarter, and they extended that margin to 35 points to 30 points in the second quarter. The Rockets attempted to rally in the second half, outscoring the Celtics 25ā20 in the third quarter and 27ā26 in the fourth.
Celtics played a dominant game with only one lead change throughout the game.
“It could be a different guy who plays well every night,” Porzingis remarked. “We have such mutual trust that if a person is having a good night, we’ll go above and beyond to get him the ballāand this was my night. We only took benefit of the mismatches.ā
Porzingis made 11 of 20 field goals and 6 of 11 three-pointers. He put five more blocks in. In NBA history, Kristaps Porzingis surpasses Raef LaFrentz (2) for the most games with 30+ points, 5+ three-pointers, and 5+ blocks. As of right now, Kristaps Porzingis is the first Celtic to ever record five blocks and six threes in a single game.
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Kristaps Porzingis handled business in the Celtics' win against the Rockets š¦
— NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2024
32 PTS
6 REB
6 3PM
5 BLK pic.twitter.com/ce1nUsA6Ef
Jayson Tatum scored eighteen points on 4-of-17 shooting, Derrick White finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown recorded his third career triple-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
The Celtics’ coach Joe Mazzulla stated, “We have to keep enhancing the ability to play in the post for the long-term future of this team. Teams are switching on- and off-ball and pressuring us.” “He stepped up and played an excellent game tonight, and I thought he performed great.”
With 25 points, Dillon Brooks led Houston, making 5 of 15 of his points from three-point range. Jalen Green scored 16 points, while Alperen Sengun scored 24. Amen Thompson, a rookie, finished with a career-high 13 rebounds in addition to 15 points.
Houston went with no Fred VanVleet with lower back injury, Tari Eason (leg), Jeff Green with calf injury, Reggie Bullock with lower back injury, and Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) less than twenty-four hours after Houston defeated Utah 127-126 in overtime.
Brooks remarked, “We played fiercely and played together.” It’s encouraging to know that we can compete at that level against one of the best NBA teams. We have to come up with a 48-minute plan of action.
Jrue Holiday with right elbow injury and Al Horford (rest) were not available for Boston. Aaron, the brother of Holiday, led Houston with 12 points and five assists in just six minutes of play.
The new team led by previous coach Ime Udoka was once again defeated by the Celtics. On January 13, the Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets 145-113.
“We had the opportunity,” Udoka remarked. “We paid more attention to particular players and focused on them better. We played well against Jaylen Brown and Jayson throughout the game; we were outplayed by the others, particularly by some of their big men who grabbed offensive rebounds.
With 17 offensive rebounds and a 56-49 rebounding advantage, the Celtics outscored the Rockets 23ā10 in second-chance points.
The defense of Celtics once again proved to be elite they had 10 steals. the length of Celtics provided them added advantage of solid rim protection with 13 blocks.https://x.com/NBA/status/1749256294513496554?s=20
Celtics were good from 3 point line with 36 % compared to Rockets 28 % shooting.
Houston were ahead in points in paint scoring 60 points in paint compared to 42 points from Celtics.
It’s something we’ve focused on this year and we’ve improved at, Mazzulla stated. “It gives us additional possessions and keeps baskets going on nights like this.”
Celtics have improved to 33-10 sitting at the top of eastern conference.Ā https://x.com/NBA/status/1749330075667874174?s=20
Celtics will face Dallas on Monday night.
Rockets will Host Portland on Wednesday night.
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