The Celtics’ seven-game winning streak came to a crash halt on Tuesday night at the hands of James Harden (42 points) and Russell Westbrook (36 points). The two All-Stars carried the Rockets to a 116-105 win largely on the strength of their ability to draw fouls. The pair was efficient from the field all night but managed to combine for 31 free throw attempts themselves, helping the Rockets pull away late with a 18-9 run. The hosts shot just 42.9 percent from the field but shot a season-high 42 free throws for a Celtic opponent, easily outpacing the C’s in that area.
Gordon Hayward (20 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) led six different C’s in double figures but it was a sloppy game for Boston’s offense with 18 turnovers and just 24 assists with Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum both shooting below 33 percent from the field.
Boston now heads back home for one final matchup before the All-Star Break with the Clippers on Thursday night.
PG: Kemba Walker
SG: Jaylen Brown
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Gordon Hayward
C: Daniel Theis
- Jaylen Brown will play despite suffering a sprained ankle during Sunday's win over the Thunder. The Celtics are at full strength outside of Robert Williams, who continues to rehab from his hip injury.
- The Rockets will be without Eric Gordon due to a leg injury. Daniel House Jr. gets the start in his place.
- Houston is 1-2 since committing to a small-ball only style lineup after trading away Clint Capela at the trade deadline. They lost a heartbreaker on Sunday night after Bojan Bogdanovic hit a buzzer beater for the win.
- It will be very interesting to see how the Celtics handle Enes Kanter tonight in the wake of the Rockets small ball strategy. Kanter is awful guarding the perimeter but he should be able to feast in the post and on the offensive glass against the Rockets wings.