NBA – The Boston Celtics overcome the Houston Rockets 26 points lead to get the win 99 – 98 at the TD Garden in Boston. Al Horford scored the winning basket for the Celtics, but it was Marcus Smart who made two defensive stops against James Harden that cause the Rockets to lose the Game.
The Celtics win maintain their # 1 ranked in the East with 29 wins and 10 losses, while the Houston Rockets suffered their 4 straight losing skid of the season after making a season best 14 – game winning streak.
Photo Credit To : NBA
The Rockets falls down in the West Standings with 25 wins and 8 losses but still in solo second place right behind the league best record and defending champion Golden State Warriors with 28 wins and 7 losses.
In the game, the Rockets dominated the Celtics as early in the game, posting a 20 point lead to end the 1st quarter 32 – 12. The momentum continues for the visiting team as they end the 1st half up by 24 points 62 – 38.
But in the 2nd half, the home team rallies back to the game as they slowly chop the visiting team biggest lead of 26 points into just 9 points with just a minute to go in the quarter, the Celtics outscored the Rockets 31 – 16 in the 3rd quarter to finish the quarter 80 – 71.
In the 4th quarter, the Celtics continue their strong attack in the final quarter cutting the Rockets lead into just 1 point for several times and for the last time is after a made basket by rookie Jason Tatum with 7 seconds to go, James Harden committed back to back turnover after making two offensive foul against Marcus Smart that gives back the ball possession to the Celtics.
Al Horford made the clutch basket that gives the Celtics very first lead of the game 99 - 98 in Hardens first turnover and with 2 seconds to go another two free throws shot by Al Horford to Hardens second turnover that eventually sealed the game.
Kyrie Irving leads the Celtics in scoring with 26 points 4 rebounds and 4 assist while James Harden with game high 34 points 6 rebounds and 10 assist in loosing effort.
