Rockets smash Celtics in 3rd straight win

Houston, Nov 20 (IANS) The Houston Rockets had a landslide win against the Boston Celtics 109-85 at the Toyota Center, recording their third victory in a row in NBA.

The Rockets played a complete game Tuesday, leading the Celtics from start to finish. The host team enjoyed an advantage of 35 points in the third quarter and shot 57 percent as a team, including 72 percent in the first half, reports Xinhua.

Houston sustained good momentum both in offence and defence throughout the game and played with consistency, breaking a previous pattern in which the team could play one or two good quarters but failed to maintain a decent performance in the finishing period.

All five Houston starters scored in double figures. Power forward Terrence Jones, making his fourth consecutive start, led the Rockets with a career-high 24 points and nine rebounds.

Patrick Beverley chipped in 16 points, James Harden added 15, five rebounds and five assists, and Dwight Howard had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Jeremy Lin and Chandler Parsons had 11 points apiece.

Courtney Lee had 17 points, Avery Bradley added 11 and Jared Sullinger had 10 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Boston, which lost its fourth in a row. The Celtics shot a meagre 32 percent.

With the win, the Rockets are 8-4 in the season and will play Dallas Wednesday.