Houston Rockets Defeat Boston Celtics 114-112 in Thrilling Finish
BOSTON – Amen Thompson delivered a game-winning floater with just 0.7 seconds remaining, leading the Houston Rockets to a dramatic 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Thompson finished with a career-high 33 points, contributing significantly to the Rockets’ ninth win in their last 11 games.
Dillon Brooks was also pivotal in the victory, shooting an impressive 10-of-15 from 3-point range and scoring 36 points. Despite a strong offensive performance from the Rockets, Jalen Green, Houston’s leading scorer, was limited to just 12 points.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown led the charge with 28 points, while Jayson Tatum bounced back from a scoreless first half to finish with 19 points. Luke Kornet added 18 points, and Kristaps Porzingis chipped in with 17 points and eight rebounds.
With just seconds remaining in the game, Thompson broke free on an inbounds play, slamming home an easy dunk to give Houston a 112-110 lead. After a timeout, Tatum responded with a driving layup to tie the game at 112-112. However, Thompson wasn’t done yet. He took the ball outside the 3-point line and drove to the rim, hitting the game-winning shot over Brown as the clock ticked down.
Thompson expressed his excitement after the game: “That was my first game-winner,” he said. “I feel like Kobe.”
Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla took responsibility for the team’s late-game defensive lapses, particularly the final two plays. “Those last two plays were on me,” Mazzulla admitted. “I didn’t put us in the best matchups. I saw the play they were trying to run, and I tried to change the matchups, which put our guys in a tough spot.”
In their previous meeting on January 3, the Celtics easily defeated the Rockets in Houston.
Houston Rockets Coach Ime Udoka confirmed that forward Cam Whitmore was absent due to illness, staying back at the hotel. For the Celtics, Al Horford was a late scratch after warmups, and Derrick White (bruised right shin) and Sam Hauser (right hip) were both sidelined.
Draymond Green Set to Return to Warriors Practice Soon Key Takeaways:
- Amen Thompson hits game-winning floater to lead Rockets over Celtics
- Dillon Brooks scores 36 points with 10 three-pointers
- Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead Celtics with 47 points combined
- Celtics’ late-game defensive breakdowns cost them the game
- Rockets win their 9th game in 11 outings
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