Overview
- The Rockets beat the Celtics 109-93 on Monday as Alperen Sengun recorded 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds and Houston moved to 7-1 and into first place in the Western Conference.
- Houston controlled the game at the rim and in transition, outscoring Boston 50-34 in the paint and 18-2 on the fast break, which allowed the Rockets to build and sustain a double-digit lead late.
- Boston shot poorly overall and from deep, making about 39 percent of field goals and roughly 29 percent of 3-pointers, a slump worsened by playing the second night of a back-to-back and the decision to rest Paul George.
- Former Celtic Marcus Smart disrupted Boston with active defense and timely plays while Jabari Smith Jr. posted a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double and other role players such as Tari Eason and Amen Thompson supplied key supporting scoring.
- The win is Houston’s best start since 2014–15 and follows Sengun’s return from a brief spell out with back soreness, and the teams now turn quickly to new opponents with the Rockets hosting Minnesota and the Celtics returning home to face Milwaukee.