Perennial All-Star forward Jayson Tatum scored a game-high 30 points while co-star Jaylen Brown added 19 points in 23 minutes in his return from a hamstring injury, leading the Boston Celtics to a commanding 108-90 victory (box score) at home over the Houston Rockets (1-16).
For Houston, which was led by 17 points off the bench from Armoni Brooks, Monday’s setback is the team’s 15th straight loss. Rockets head coach Stephen Silas attributed some of the sluggish showing to tired legs from a long road trip, which mercifully concludes after four games.
The Rockets were within five points at halftime, but the Celtics (10-8) blew the game open with a 24-3 burst to start the third quarter. Houston shot just 31-of-83 for the game (37.3%) and 11-of-42 on 3-pointers (26.2%), and they were out-rebounded by a commanding 64-48 margin.
See below for highlights, statistics, and player analysis from Monday’s game, with grades limited to players who started or played clear rotation minutes. With the four-game road trip finally complete, Houston kicks off a three-game homestand when Chicago (12-5) visits Toyota Center on Wednesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central.
