Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Player Stats and Box Score (Jan. 27) | 2024-25 NBA season
The Houston Rockets overcame a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Boston Celtics 114-112. Boston's defensive confusion helped Amen Thompson get away with a floater with 0.7 seconds remaining in the game. Payton Pritchard's 59-footer as the buzzer sounded fell way short, allowing Houston to even the season series with the home team.
Thompson scored a career-high 33 points, including the Rockets' final four. He took on the primary assignment of guarding Jayson Tatum and helped hold the All-Star forward scoreless in the first half. Dillon Brooks stepped up big time with 36 points on 13-for-23 shooting, including 10-for-15 from deep.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 28 points, four rebounds and four assists. Tatum tallied 19 points behind a rough 5-for-19 clip. The defending champs played without Derrick White, who had to rest due to a right shin contusion.
Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics player stats and box score
Houston Rockets player stats and box score
Boston Celtics player stats and box score
Houston Rockets vs Boston Celtics Game Summary
The Houston Rockets got another crack at the Boston Celtics on Monday. Houston looked to get payback after losing 109-86 in the first encounter with the defending champs in early January. The Rockets hoped to even the season series on Boston's home floor.
Houston started hot early and finished the first quarter strong behind Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson who combined for 26 points. The Rockets closed the period with a 16-4 run to lead 31-27.
Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis kept the Celtics in the game with 10 and eight points, respectively. Jayson Tatum went 0-for-4, while Jrue Holiday missed both his shots.
The Rockets threatened to blow the game open midway through the second quarter. Boston's 13-3 surge late in the period allowed the home team to close the gap to 54-52 at the halftime break.
The third quarter of the Rockets-Celtics tussle started as a defensive struggle before the offense picked up. Houston continued to lean on the Brooks-Thompson duo because of rough-shooting nights from Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum finally showed up for the defending champs. After the Rockets held him scoreless in the first half, Taco Jay scattered 15 in the period. Luke Kornet added six points and three rebounds to help the Celtics grab an 89-85 lead before the fourth quarter started.
The Boston Celtics threatened to blow the game open early in the fourth quarter. Kornet’s dunk gave the home team a 101-89 advantage. Houston retaliated with a 13-0 blast to lead 102-101.
The game stayed close until the final buzzer. Amen Thompson scored Houston’s final four points, including the game-winning floater with 0.7 left on the clock. Payton Pritchard’s desperate heave was way off, allowing the Houston Rockets to escape with a 114-112 win.