Without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics demonstrate in Houston

A mini Texas “trip” perfectly arranged for the Celtics. The day after the victory in DallasJoe Mazzula’s men continued with much more authoritarian success on the Rockets floor. And this, without Jailen Brown this time, resting due to hamstring discomfort.

in his absence, Derrick White inherited maximum offensive responsibility (28 points on 10/25 shooting). He was supported by Boston’s neo-replacement, Payton Pritchardagain the author of 27 points (9/20) and 7 assists. At the same time, the domestic sector responded, a necessity in front of the giants opposite. holder, Luka Garza contributed with 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Nehemiah Kueta signed a big double-double (10 points and 19 rebounds, career record).

There wasn’t much to remember from the Texans’ performance, where all starters reached or surpassed the 10-point mark. But who showed surprising passivity in the sector where they are number 1 in the championship: in rebounds. This observation was particularly striking in the third quarter of the visitors’ overall dominance.

Derrick White broke free in the third quarter

After a relatively balanced first period, where Houston already struggled to express itself offensively (42-49), the Celtics picked up the pace, as well as their offensive leader of the night, Derrick White, unsustainable in this period: 14 of his 28 points. And since the guests took more than half of their shots from behind the arc, they managed to create a lot of other chances with long jumps.

And despite their size deficit, the Greens always found a hole in the Texas defense. Like this shot towards the end of the quarter from the White, yet ultra-competitive Kevin Durant, which gave them a 24-point lead (51-75).

In the back, Amen Thompson threw himself at the Boston defense, and found no one but Josh Okogie, who was forced to send the ball into the stands as he tried to save it… On the next possession, White missed a 3-pointer, but Ron Harper Jr., who wasn’t blocked from the rebound at all, flew in for a dunk without a fight. The sequence that said it all.

Tired until now, Kevin Durant would find some skill in the following minutes, but the Celtics, confident in their strength and leading by 22 points at the beginning of the last quarter (63-85), were not worried afterwards.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Rockets lose their composure. A dark night at all levels for the Rockets. In the third quarter, Ime Udoka was ejected for a double technical foul, causing him to get upset with the referees. A few minutes later, the coach will be imitated by his staff, Alperen Sengunafter he was not whistled, he was visibly made to insult referee Jenna Reno. The home team, complaining, got more free throws than the opponent, but they lacked success at the line (14/22, 64%). It should be noted that a few seconds before the shutout, Sengun was not able to handle the defense with Jabari Smith Jr., offering a dunk to Garza. When nothing goes right…

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The Rockets rarely dominated rebounding. With 49 catches per game, Houston, thanks to its five “high balls”, largely dominates the league in this sector. Not tonight, especially since Neemias Cueta turned into a real balloon vacuum cleaner. The pivot himself grabbed 19 rebounds, half of the entire opposing team. Even the smaller players contributed by deflecting turnovers to create new opportunities.

The Knicks and Celtics never leave each other. In addition to Boston’s win, the Knicks beat the Nuggets last night. In the battle for 2nd place in the East behind the Pistons, the two teams have the same record with 33 wins and 18 losses. The New Yorkers remain on an 8-game winning streak, the Massachusetts players on a 4-game winning streak. And as the calendar works, the two teams face off on Sunday in Boston.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.