Houston returned to the ranks last night, the day after a nice success acquired in Chicago. The Texans were not unworthy on the floor of TD Garden, but came across a fusion Brown-Tatum duo which gradually swung the game in favor of the locals to end the match in fireworks on the last quarter- time.
The Rockets however held on for a long time, in the first quarter to start, relying on the verticality of Jalen Green and Kenyon Martin Jr but also on the outside address of the duo, accompanied by Jabari Smith Jr, Kevin Porter Jr and Garrison Matthews (22-21).
It took at least that to hold the shock, because opposite, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were slowly starting to rise in temperature. The tandem notably passed two huge dunks to set the tone. But these Rockets are eye-catching, still ahead in the score less than three minutes from the end following a 2 + 1 from Jalen Green (42-43).
Jayson Tatum then took responsibility to reverse the trend with a 3-pointer and a 2+1 as well as two assists for the 3-pointers of Marcus Smart and Al Horford (56-49).
The “Jay’s” continued their festival after the break. Jaylen Brown had his streak in turn, with a 3-pointer, a basket with the fault and a left-handed dunk in transition to finally give the locals an 11-point lead (82-71). Opposite, Jalen Green refused to abdicate, and his 3-point buzzer in the third quarter allowed Houston to stay in the running 12 minutes from time (92-81).
It was only on a 9-3 past from the start of the last act that Boston was able to take shelter, this time with Jayson Tatum and Robert Williams III to shake the circle (101-84).
Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown twice and Jayson Tatum drove home the point a few minutes later with big shots from 3-point baskets (113-97). This time the Celtics could take a breather and head towards their 25e success of the season.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– 77 points for the two team leaders. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum rather tend to share the brand over the matches and the profile of the oppositions. Even if it happened, it’s quite rare to see them explode simultaneously like this. Even if they have nothing to be ashamed of their performance, the Rockets ended up being overwhelmed as the Celtics tandem was aggressive and regular throughout the meeting.
– Joe Mazzulla apologized. The Celtics coach was unable to take part in the match following an eye problem which forced him to forfeit ten minutes before the match. In his place, it was therefore former point guard Damon Stoudamire who officiated, and who won his first victory in the NBA as head coach.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ The Brown-Tatum duo. We would not have liked to be in the place of the Rockets tonight as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum were hot. The two players knew how to take turns, sprinkling the whole thing with some high-class actions like this monumental dunk by Jaylen Brown at the end of the first quarter. The latter’s 14 points in the third quarter also weighed in the balance. Jayson Tatum also had his strong streaks. Upon arrival, Houston can’t really have any regrets about this match, as they gave everything they had. Boston and his tandem were decidedly too strong.
✅ Robert Williams III. His best game since his return, with great efficiency on both sides of the field to finish with 11 points (4/4 shooting), 15 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block in 21 minutes.
✅ ⛔️Jalen Green. Great performance from the back of the Rockets… for three quarters. He sank, like his team, then disappearing from circulation in the last act.
⛔️ Alperen Sengun. A zero point for the Turkish pivot who nevertheless came out of a big game in Chicago. Only three shots attempted, rare enough to be underlined…
THE FOLLOWING
Boston (25-10): the Celtics host the Clippers this Thursday (1:30 a.m.)
Houston (10-24): the Lakers will continue their five-game road trip to Orlando this Tuesday (1:00 a.m.)
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