HOUSTON — Within the fourth residence recreation of the season on the Toyota Heart, the short-handed Rockets ran out of steam offensively and had a foul evening due to their second charge protection. All of it led to Friday’s 109-86 loss (field rating) to the reigning NBA champion Boston Celticswhich resulted in Houston’s largest margin of defeat this season.
The Rockets, who scored solely 30 factors within the second half, fell to 22-12 and stay No. 3 within the standings. Western Convention Standings. Boston improved to 26-9 and is No. 2 within the East.
Each groups had been lacking key gamers, with the Celtics holding off Jaylen Brown (sprained proper shoulder) and Al Horford (relaxation) on the second evening of a street back-to-back. The Rockets had been with out Jabari Smith Jr. (damaged left hand), Tari Raison (left decrease leg ache), and Amen Thompson (league suspension).
The Rockets remained aggressive for lengthy stretches of the sport due to a powerful evening from Jalen Inexperienced. Inexperienced completed with 27 factors on 10-of-21 taking pictures (47.6%) and 5-of-13 3-pointers (38.5%), and he additionally made key defensive performs with a number of blocks.
Nonetheless, Boston – which simply leads the NBA in 3-point makes an attempt per recreation — has regularly drifted away thanks largely to a transparent mathematical benefit and lack of assist from Houston’s supporting forged exterior of Inexperienced. The Celtics made 19 of 39 pictures from 3-point vary (48.7%), whereas Houston made simply 10 of 36 from deep (27.8%). The Rockets made simply 3 of 17 within the second half (17.6 p.c), with shooters exterior of Inexperienced going 0 of 11.
Those that fought for Houston included:
-
Dillon Brooks: 10 factors, 4 of 13 taking pictures (30.8%)
-
Fred VanVleet: 8 factors, 3 assists, 3 of seven on pictures (42.9%), 1 of three from 3 factors (33.3%)
-
Alperen Sengun: 14 factors, 7 rebounds; 6 of 15 pictures (40.0%), 4 turnovers
-
Cam Whitmore: 11 factors, 6 rebounds; 4 of 17 pictures (23.5%), 1 of 9 from 3 factors (11.1%)
#Rockets was outplayed tonight, making 10 of 36 from 3 to Boston’s 19 of 39.
Within the second half, Jalen Inexperienced went 3 of 6 from deep. Everybody else… mixed for 0 of 11.
30 factors in two quarters.
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2025
Perennial All-Star candidate and Most Useful Participant (MVP) Jayson Tatum had 20 factors, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the Celtics whereas making 4 of 10 from 3-point vary (40.0%) . Derrick White scored a team-high 23 factors whereas hitting 6 of 12 from 3-point vary (50.0%).
January 3 Rockets-Celtics: Full Highlights
January 3 post-match reactions and interviews
The Rockets misplaced to the Celtics 109-86. They performed nicely for 3 quarters then gave up within the fourth. Jalen Inexperienced scored 27 however nobody else eclipsed 14 factors. Alperen Sengun solely took 4 pictures and did not rating within the 2nd half after going 6 for 11 for 14 factors within the 1st
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 4, 2025
It is doable that the largest downside with dropping Jabari just isn’t having five-out lineups in opposition to good groups.
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2025
The rockets clung to the rope all evening and eventually let go. The Celtics begin the fourth quarter on an 11-0 run and lead by 21. The Rockets are 0-for-5 with a turnover within the first 3:17 of the fourth quarter.
-Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 4, 2025
Man, Jalen Inexperienced is competing there
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2025
1. Nice adjustment from Masulla after the primary quarter to place two huge gamers on the court docket and cease Sengun
2. Sengun wants to have the ability to hit 3 – that is a non-negotiable job this offseason
3. Boston is the very best crew within the NBA in response to FAR and this would be the crew’s hardest check
– Mitty 🇹🇷 (@MittyData) January 4, 2025
I’ll say that I’m immensely moved by this play by Jalen Inexperienced. I did it in opposition to arguably the very best crew and finest protection within the league.
I’ll ceaselessly say it is all as much as Jalen. He has the expertise and the chance. Simply put all of it collectively and there is a particular participant there.
– ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) January 4, 2025
On a optimistic word, Jalen had two promising matches in opposition to the 2 groups that simply performed within the closing. Encouraging stuff. You continue to do not should fall in love with all three, however be taught the place your center positions are. It’s nonetheless in growth
– Dr. Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) January 4, 2025
Sengun’s Decide ‘n Roll protection has severely deteriorated over the previous two weeks. It is grow to be lazy
—Robert Terre | Houston Sports activities Discuss Podcast Host (@HSTPodcast) January 4, 2025
One in every of Jalen Inexperienced’s finest video games all season, contemplating each the opponent and the affect on each ends
– Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) January 4, 2025
The spine of #Rockets The #2 protection within the league is Amen & Tari. Id begins there. Only a a lot completely different crew after they cannot depart their mark on the sport.
– Chris A. White 🐻 (@fyrebear) January 4, 2025
The Rockets gained Steven Adams’ minutes by 8 factors…misplaced the opposite minutes by 31
Created a bonus on the offensive boards in a recreation the place the Celtics dominated the glass
I performed D nicely on the perimeter
7 MINUTES | 6 factors | 4OREB | 1AST | +8
With Sengun and Jeff Inexperienced… pic.twitter.com/GAq7SVuCRN
– Statistics by Steven Adams (@funakistats) January 4, 2025
Ime Udoka: “We defended nicely sufficient to be inside attain, 10 factors in need of fourth place, however we did not play very nicely, and that was fairly apparent. 9 assists, performed into the group the entire time night, on double groups and no which makes simple studying.
–Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 4, 2025
What’s subsequent
Houston concludes its five-game homestand with Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers (19-14). Tip-off from the Toyota Heart is 6:00 p.m. Central Time.
Extra: After breaking his left hand, Rockets ahead Jabari Smith Jr. is out for a minimum of a month
This text was initially printed on Rockets Wire: Shorthanded Rockets fall to Celtics on Jalen Inexperienced’s huge evening
