Jalen Green scores 28 points, Rockets outlast Celtics 111-109 – Boston News Weather Sports

HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green scored 28 points and rookie Jabari Smith Jr. added 24 as the Houston Rockets withstood a late attack to beat the Boston Celtics 111-109 Monday night.

The Rockets, who share the NBA’s fewest wins at 16 with Detroit, slipped in three games despite the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown posting a season-high 43 points.

Boston, who is second in the Eastern Conference, was 11 behind with about 4 1/2 minutes to go before using a late run to get within striking distance. Brown made two free throws to reduce Houston’s lead to one in under a minute.

Kenyon Martin Jr. missed a 3-point attempt after that, but snagged his own rebound. Green was fouled with 10 seconds left and made both free throws.

Brown made a layup to put Boston back within one. Smith then made one of two free throws. The Celtics had a chance to tie it on the buzzer, but Jayson Tatum missed a layup.

Tatum scored 22 points for Boston and Malcolm Brogdon added 20.

Martin had 20 points and eight rebounds for Houston and Kevin Porter Jr. had 14 points and 13 assists.

The Celtics grabbed four free throws before getting a three-point play from Brogdon to go two in under two minutes. Jae’Sean Tate fouled Marcus Smart on Brogdon’s free throw and Smart made a free throw to cut the lead to 106-105.

A Sam Hauser layup after a Brogdon steal put the Celtics in a basket early in the fourth quarter. But the Rockets got back-to-back 3s from Usman Garuba to start a 9-2 run that extended their lead to 98-89 with seven minutes remaining.

The Rockets led by seven points at halftime and used a 7-0 run to take it to 71-58 with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the third. Later in the half, Boston cut the lead to 75-68 thanks to an 8-2 sprint in which Tatum scored all of the Celtics’ points.

TIP INS

Celtics: Robert Williams was out for the fifth straight game with a strained left Achilles tendon. … Payton Pritchard has been inactive for a third straight game with left heel pain. … Boston made 12 of 42 3-pointers.

Rockets: Porter hobbled off the field in the fourth quarter but returned a few minutes later. …Alperen Sengun missed the game with a left groin strain. Coach Stephen Silas said the injury was not serious and he expects to return for the next game. … Houston has passed Boston 48-38.

NEXT

Celtics: Continue a six-game journey with a visit to Minnesota on Wednesday night.

Rockets: hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.

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