Another blowout for the Celtics and a feeling of déjà vu for this 19th home victory in 19 games for Joe Mazzulla's men. The Rockets quickly had to face the facts despite an encouraging start (15-20). Alongside a rather skillful Kristaps Porzingis against an always valuable Alperen Sengun, it was Jayson Tatum who first calmed the Texan enthusiasm by marking the end of the first quarter with his mark, with a dunk and a 3 -points at the buzzer of the period (35-31).
Enough to warm up for a second act of madness, since the rain fell on all sides on the poor Rockets. There was Payton Pritchard, Al Horford, Derrick White and Kristaps Porzingis, but especially Jayson Tatum whose four 3-point missiles relegated Houston to 11 lengths at the break (69-58). Returning from the locker room, it was Jaylen Brown who took over to push the troops of his former coach Ime Udoka a little further.
Jayson Tatum expelled…
JB was in all the right places, between his acrobatic finishes, his 3-point baskets and his furious baseline dunk on a pass from KP to conclude his festival with 21 points scored over the period!
In its wake, Boston crushed Houston by winning the third act 43 to 28, with a merciless Payton Pritchard twice at 3-points to widen the gap (112-86). Despite the gap, the locals continued to enjoy, like the monumental counterattacks of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis to generate transition play.
The only downside is the exit of Jayson Tatum, expelled for two technical fouls collected in quick succession after a (yet blatant) foul on his arm that was not whistled.
For the rest, the Celtics continued until the end, this time with the replacements to entertain, from Svi Mykhailiuk to O'Shae Brissett via Sam Hauser without forgetting the fiery Payton Pritchard. On arrival, the score is clear with a success of 32 points (145-113). Ime Udoka will remember it!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Taratatum. Jayson Tatum made the song in the first half by setting an impressive pace that the Rockets couldn't keep up with. There was his 4/6 at 3-points but also the aggressiveness towards the circle, the defense to turn this match around at the end of the first half, which he finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He then eased off, handing over to Jaylen Brown, until his expulsion in a flash which sent him back to the locker room prematurely.
– Jaylen Brown as “Mr Dynamite”. What a show of strength from Jaylen Brown in the third quarter. He stunned the Rockets almost single-handedly by passing 21 points during the period, during which he showed off his offensive range. He also offered himself two counterattacks to complete an impressive stat line.
– The Celtics still undefeated at home. They have 19 wins in 19 home games. This is a new record to start a season for this historic franchise which once again made its mark by winning largely against the Rockets who were expected to be tougher than that, between the return of Dillon Brooks after three weeks of absence and that of Ime Udoka. With a recipe that is the strength of this team, and this impressive 3-point skill which was once again the common thread of the evening, to end at an impressive 24/47!
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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.
