There were withdrawals on both sides, with Fred VanVleet in civilian clothes on the Houston bench (but also Jabari Smith Jr. and Jeff Green absent), and Jrue Holiday and Al Horford who did not play for the Celtics. It didn't really slow down the best team in the league. Especially Kristaps Porzingis who takes advantage of his size and his outside shot to hit. He also blocks several shots and Boston takes control (25-35).
Sam Hauser and Derrick White take over despite an agitated Jalen Green, who tries to shake up the Celtics before the break. But Boston is stronger (55-70). Returning from the locker room, the Rockets came back to five points, thanks to a clumsy Celtic team. But the gap is still there before the last quarter (80-90).
With the inevitable Alperen Sengun, Ime Udoka's troops passed an 8-0 which allowed them to get closer. Twice, they have a ball to get back to one possession, but it is missed. Joe Mazzulla then takes a time-out. A good choice since the Celtics respond with a 5-0 and give themselves some breathing space. The end of the match saw Boston secure its 116-107 victory on the Texan floor.
What you must remember
– The good match of Kristaps Porzingis. After having fought a physical duel against Nikola Jokic, the Latvian had to cross paths with Alperen Sengun. Above all, he found the target from afar to throw his teammates. As against Denver, he scored 15 points in the first quarter. Then, he used his size to dominate the Rockets closer to the rim. The former Knicks had a very good game with 32 points at 6/11 at 3-pts, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks.
– The Rockets were missing a little something. Yet back-to-back, and very diminished, the Houston players were not corrected like during the first duel a few days ago, but they never seemed to be able to really take this match. The 8-0 in the last quarter was the most interesting moment. Except that it takes more to beat the Celtics, even when the latter have less successful streaks. Despite the performance of Alperen Sengun, in triple-double (24 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists), or the great energy of Amen Thompson (15 points, 14 rebounds and 5 assists), the Rockets were missing a little something.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
