In a thrilling matchup on Monday night, the Houston Rockets secured a narrow 114-112 victory over the Boston Celtics, thanks to Amen Thompson's clutch performance. Thompson's game-winning floater with just 0.7 seconds remaining sealed the win for the Rockets, as he finished the game with an impressive 33 points.
Dillon Brooks was also instrumental in Houston's success, shooting an impressive 10 of 15 from 3-point range and leading the team with 36 points. The Rockets, who have now won nine of their last 11 games, showcased their resilience and determination throughout the contest.
Despite a strong effort from the Celtics, with Jaylen Brown contributing 28 points and Jayson Tatum adding 19 after a slow start, it was not enough to overcome the Rockets' late surge. Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porzingis also made significant contributions for Boston, scoring 18 and 17 points respectively.
Notably, Rockets' leading scorer Jalen Green was limited to 12 points in the game, but his teammates stepped up when it mattered most.
The decisive moment came when Thompson broke free off an inbounds play and scored a crucial dunk to put Houston ahead 112-110. Despite a valiant effort from Tatum, who tied the game with a layup, Brooks' 10th 3-pointer ultimately proved to be the difference-maker.
Both teams faced challenges heading into the game, with Houston missing forward Cam Whitmore due to illness, while the Celtics had to navigate through injuries to key players like Al Horford, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser.
Looking ahead, the Rockets will face the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday as part of a four-game road trip, while the Celtics are set to host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.
Overall, the thrilling contest between the Rockets and Celtics showcased the competitive spirit and resilience of both teams, with Houston emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle.
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