The Celtics fought through an ugly second half and held off the Rockets for a 113-105 road win at the Toyota Center on Sunday night. Kristaps Porzingis led the way for the shorthanded visitors with a game-high 32 points while Derrick White chipped in with 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, helping Boston hold off a shorthanded Rockets squad that was playing without two starters. Jaylen Brown also dished an assist in the final minute to score his first triple-double of the season (13 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists)
Boston led by as many as 17 points in the first half behind the steady shooting of White and Porzingis along with some stellar play from the bench unit. However, Boston’s offensive woes cropped up in the third quarter (20 points) as Jayson Tatum (4-of-17 FG) and Jaylen Brown (5-of-13 FG) struggled through rough shooting nights.
Ultimately, Boston righted the ship late behind some shotmaking from Porzingis and lockdown defense, helping Boston kick off their three-game road trip on a winning note.
The trip gets tougher on Monday night against the Dallas Mavericks but Al Horford (rest) and Jrue Holiday (elbow) are expected to be back in the lineup for that matchup.
Here are four takeaways from the Celtics’ win Sunday night.