Amen Thompson’s clutch floater with 0.7 seconds left lifted the Houston Rockets (31-14) to an exhilarating 114-112 win over the Boston Celtics (32-15) on Monday evening. The guard capped off his 33-point efficiency with the decisive basket, serving to Houston safe its ninth victory in 11 video games.
Dillon Brooks delivered a career-best taking pictures evening, hitting 10-of-15 from past the arc en path to a team-high 36 factors. His remaining three-pointer gave Houston a vital 108-106 edge with 1:39 remaining, holding the Rockets forward in a tightly contested recreation.
Jaylen Brown paced the Celtics with 28 factors, whereas Jayson Tatum added 19 regardless of being held scoreless within the first half. Luke Kornet contributed an environment friendly 18 factors on 8-of-9 taking pictures, and Kristaps Porzingis tallied 17 factors and eight rebounds.
Thompson’s late-game heroics got here after Boston tied the rating with 5.3 seconds left on a layup by Tatum. Houston responded with an inbounds play that allowed Thompson to seek out area and convert a contested floater to seal the win. The Rockets overcame a sluggish begin to the fourth quarter, the place they trailed by 12 factors.
The Celtics performed shorthanded with Derrick White, Sam Hauser, and Al Horford sidelined as a consequence of accidents. Coach Joe Mazzulla rotated deeper into his bench, resulting in vital contributions from Payton Pritchard, who scored 15 factors whereas connecting on 5 three-pointers.
Tatum struggled early, lacking all 5 of his first-half makes an attempt, because the Celtics trailed by two at halftime. The All-NBA ahead rebounded within the second half however fell wanting his traditional manufacturing. In the meantime, Porzingis and Kornet anchored Boston’s inside scoring with environment friendly finishes close to the rim.
The Rockets’ protection shined down the stretch, limiting Boston to simply 23 factors within the remaining quarter. Alperen Sengun was instrumental on each ends, recording 9 rebounds and 9 assists whereas serving to neutralize Boston’s inside presence late within the recreation.
Jalen Inexperienced, Houston’s main scorer this season, was restricted to 12 factors on 3-of-13 taking pictures however contributed six assists. Fred VanVleet chipped in seven factors and 7 assists, serving to facilitate the Rockets’ offense regardless of struggling along with his shot.
The win offers Houston a season collection break up with Boston, because the Celtics gained their first assembly on Jan. 3. The victory additionally underscores Houston’s rise as a contender within the Western Convention, with their 31-14 document positioning them firmly within the playoff image.
Boston, however, stays close to the highest of the Jap Convention standings regardless of the loss. Nonetheless, the Celtics will look to regroup as they face one other robust stretch with out key contributors.
