HOUSTON — The Boston Celtics showcased their dominance on January 3, 2025, with a commanding 109-86 victory over the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, marking their third consecutive win.
Derrick White led the Celtics with 23 points, supported by Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard, who each added 20 points. The Celtics’ victory was particularly impressive considering they played without star forward Jaylen Brown, who is sidelined due to a shoulder strain. This absence did not deter Boston’s potent offense, as they demonstrated their shooting accuracy by nailing 19 of 39 3-point attempts.
On the other hand, the Rockets faced significant challenges with several key players missing from their lineup due to injuries. Jalen Green was the standout player for Houston, scoring 27 points, but the team struggled to maintain consistent offense throughout the game. They were without frontcourt assets Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson, which proved detrimental.
Throughout the first half, the Celtics displayed crisp and dominant offensive play reminiscent of their championship run. They shot effectively, securing early points with impressive shooting from beyond the arc and limiting turnovers. White started strong with four baskets, setting the tone for Boston’s confidence and intensity.
Despite the promising start, the Rockets found some footing and pulled within 37-31 with help from effective rebounding, including 11 second-chance points. Yet, as the first half progressed, Tatum finally found his rhythm late, scoring three pivotal baskets to send Boston to halftime with a 65-56 lead.
The Celtics managed to maintain their lead through the second half, where their strong defense stifled the Rockets. The Boston defense forced two shot-clock violations and pressured the Rockets’ shots, exemplified when Dillon Brooks was denied at the rim by White.
Throughout the third quarter, Boston's lead expanded, with Houston struggling significantly, shooting only 5 of 19 and committing five turnovers. By the time the fourth quarter began, Boston had secured enough momentum to put the game out of reach.
When the fourth quarter started, the Celtics didn’t take their foot off the gas. They opened the quarter with 11 unanswered points, extending their lead to 93-72. Even as the Rockets managed to break their scoring drought with Fred VanFleet’s jumper, it was largely too late to make any substantial impact on the outcome.
The Rockets’ defensive struggles mirrored their offensive woes with the absence of revered players like Smith Jr. leaving gaps for the Celtics to exploit. Alperen Şengün, who began the game strong, was effectively sidelined as Boston's head coach Joe Mazzulla employed a double big lineup, minimizing Houston's effectiveness at both ends of the court.
“The Celtics hit 19 of 39 from 3-point range,” noted sports commentators, showcasing their shooting prowess. The Celtics' chemistry and effective teamwork were evident as they executed plays successfully, with strong performances from White, Pritchard, and Tatum.
Following this game, the Celtics are set to visit Oklahoma City, eager to build on their winning streak. Meanwhile, the Rockets will look to regroup as they host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night at the Toyota Center, needing to improve their performance to regain momentum.
The Rockets’ head coach faces tough decisions moving forward as the team adjusts to the loss of Smith Jr., who is anticipated to miss extended time with his injury. With Ausar Thompson returning from suspension soon, there may be opportunities to recalibrate the lineup as the Rockets aim to recover from consecutive disappointing losses.
The promising sign for Houston was Jalen Green, who led his team’s efforts with remarkable scoring, yet without complementary support, their night ended with yet another frustrating defeat.
Himmelsbach, reporting for the Globe, observed, “The Rockets finally snapped a nearly six-minute scoring drought when Fred VanFleet hit a 19-footer with 7:15 left, but by then it was too late.” This game exposed the struggles of the Rockets amid key injuries and highlighted the Celtics’ potential to remain at the top of the Eastern Conference.