BOSTON – The Boston Celtics continued their strong form with a decisive victory over the Houston Rockets, winning 114-93. Derrick White led the charge for Boston, scoring 28 points, including six three-pointers and powering the Celtics to their fourth consecutive win.
The Celtics’ performance was particularly impressive given the absence of star player Jaylen Brown, who was sidelined with a strained left hamstring. Despite Brown’s absence, Boston demonstrated a balanced offensive attack and a dominant third quarter that effectively sealed the win.
The Rockets, coming off a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers (114-104), struggled to contain White and the Celtics’ perimeter shooting. Houston coach Ime Udoka was ejected late in the third quarter after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with officials, adding to the Rockets’ difficulties.
The game saw a fiery exchange in the third quarter, with Rockets’ Alperen Sengun also receiving two technical fouls and being ejected for protesting a no-call. This sequence of ejections appeared to disrupt Houston’s momentum, allowing the Celtics to extend their lead significantly.
Early in the third quarter, a three-pointer from Amen Thompson brought the Rockets within four points. However, the Celtics responded with an 18-3 run, fueled by sharp shooting from beyond the arc. White and Baylor Scheierman each contributed two three-pointers during this stretch, quickly pushing the Celtics’ advantage to 67-48 with approximately seven minutes remaining in the period.
Boston continued to press their advantage, following the initial surge with a 10-1 run to increase their lead to 77-51. White was instrumental in this run, scoring the first eight points, including two more three-pointers. The Celtics’ relentless offensive pressure and accurate shooting proved too much for the Rockets to handle.
Further compounding Houston’s woes, a fumble foul call near the end of the third quarter led to Udoka’s ejection after receiving two technical fouls. Boston capitalized on the situation, converting four free throws to extend their lead to 87-63 entering the fourth quarter. The significant margin allowed the Celtics to comfortably control the remainder of the game.
Despite the loss, Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 15 points in his return to the lineup after missing a previous game with a sprained left ankle. However, Durant’s contribution wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ overall dominance and efficient offensive performance.
The Celtics’ victory underscores their strength as a contender in the league, even when facing adversity with key players sidelined. Their ability to maintain a high level of play despite Brown’s absence demonstrates the depth and versatility of their roster. The Rockets, meanwhile, will need to address their discipline and consistency to build on their earlier success against the Cavaliers.
The game highlighted White’s growing importance to the Celtics’ success. His 28-point performance, coupled with his efficient shooting from three-point range, showcased his ability to step up in the absence of a key teammate. The Celtics will look to continue their winning streak as they navigate the remainder of the season.
The Rockets will aim to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their upcoming games. Durant’s return is a positive sign, but the team will need to improve their defensive efforts and limit turnovers to compete with the league’s top teams. The ejection of both Udoka and Sengun raises concerns about the team’s composure and discipline, areas that will need to be addressed moving forward.
