The Boston Celtics have inflicted their 15th bankruptcy in a row on the stumbling Houston Rockets. In the safe 108:90 victory, the duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown bring the Celts onto the road to victory. Dennis Schröder also sets strong accents – and decides the German duel for himself.
Boston Celtics (10-8) – Houston Rockets (1-16) 108:90 (BOXSCORE)
Tatum confirmed his current good form and set up at least 30 points for the fourth time in a row. Against the Rockets, the 23-year-old landed exactly 30 points, although the throw from distance was not his best friend (10/22 FG, but 1/9 threesome). Brown celebrated his comeback after an eight-game break and shook off the rust with a strong third quarter on the way to 19 points.
Robert Williams also returned to the floor after his knee injury and marked 2 points, 15 rebounds and the best plus / minus of all players (+28). Al Horford put on a double-double (11 and 11 rebounds) and Dennis Schröder provided good support from the bank. The point guard scored 18 points, even if the jumper did not fall consistently (6/15 FG, 0 assists with 4 turnovers).
The German duel against Daniel Theis was decided by DS17, however, clearly in their favor. The Big Man was greeted with much applause on his return to his old place of work, then he put on 7 points (3/9 FG) and 4 rebounds. It was not significantly better for any of the other Rockets starters, only the reservists Armoni Brooks (17) and Kenyon Martin Jr. (10) achieved a double-digit yield. Rookie Jalen Green didn’t really develop (9, 2/9 FG).
In the opening minutes, Tatum picked up where he left off against the Hawks, Lakers and Thunder. The first 8 Celtics points were on the account of the two-time All-Star, but Houston held against it with a good presence in the zone. 16 of the 21 counters of the guests in the first quarter came close to the ring, and Theis was also there several times.
Dennis Schröder and Celtics make everything clear in the second half
Several good attacks from Schröder in the second quarter, who drew several free throws, as well as a Tatum three-pointer brought Boston a little bit behind a few minutes before half-time break (+9), but Houston stayed within striking distance thanks to Brooks (11 in the second section) . The home side went into the locker room with 52:47.
After the break, however, the Celtics left no more doubts. First Horford sunk several triples, then Brown was there. After his injury break, it took him a little while to find his rhythm, but he ran hot in the third quarter. Two threes in a row as well as a personal 10-0 run gave Boston a 19-point lead.
A little bit later Schröder nibbled with a nice move Garrison Matthews and hammered another threesome through the trap. Boston pulled away by up to 26 points, also because the defense now did a much better job of keeping the Texans out of the zone. In the third quarter, Houston only hit 25 percent from the field, the passage went to the Celtics with 34:16.
The final section degenerated into extended garbage time. Romeo Langford (10) and Aaron Nesmith (5) let the home fans cheer again, it was no longer exciting. While Boston improved to sixth place in the Eastern Conference with their eighth win out of eleven games, the Rockets already suffered their 15th defeat in a row.
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