Celtics-Rockets Preview

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
Posted Mar 18 2010 1:49PM

The Boston Celtics like the way they've played in three straight easy home wins. They know they're about to be tested in a big way on the road.

The Celtics start a stretch of eight straight games against Western Conference opponents in the opener of a three-game trip Friday night against the Houston Rockets.

Boston (43-24) has been able to build big leads and rest its starters in its last three games at home, including Wednesday in a 109-97 win over New York. Every player logged less than 28 minutes as the Celtics led by 21 heading to the fourth quarter.

This stretch against the West begins and ends against Houston (35-31), while this trip includes meetings with Dallas and Utah.

"Now we just have to go on the road, play the same way we've been playing - sharing the ball, playing defense with a lot of energy and playing through for 48 minutes," forward Kevin Garnett said.

Paul Pierce scored 29 points and Garnett added 22 as Boston shot 50.6 percent Wednesday. The Celtics have 62 assists in their last two games, with 18 by Rajon Rondo.

"We focus on our turnovers being down. We focus on our blocked shots and our rebounds. Other than that, our scoring is going to come from different places (each) night," Garnett said.

Rondo will be up against a point guard coming off one of the best games of his career in Aaron Brooks, who scored 31 and made all seven 3-pointers in a 107-94 home win over Memphis on Wednesday.

"Kind of a weird experience," said Brooks, who went 11 for 14 from the field. "I don't think I've ever shot 7 for 7 in a game, a pickup game or anything like that. Some of the shots were off-balance, I don't know. It just felt good."

The Rockets have won a season-high four straight after forward Luis Scola scored 20 points to continue his surge. Scola is averaging 25.8 points on 57.3 percent shooting in his last six games.

"When you make shots, everything opens up," Scola said. "You play much calmer and we all have a little more space."

Rockets guard Kyle Lowry re-aggravated his sprained left ankle in the fourth quarter and did not return. Lowry missed 12 games due to the injury before returning at the start of this win streak.

"I'm good, it was just a very bad tweak," he said. "It happens at least once a game."

Houston trails eighth-place Portland by 4 1/2 games in the race for the West's final playoff spot.

"It's less than a month away from the end of the season," Scola said. "We've just got to win games in any possible way. Ugly? So be it."

The Rockets are 10-13 against Eastern foes while the Celtics are 13-9 versus the West. Boston has won three straight at Houston, which visits the Celtics on April 2.

Copyright 2010 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Celtics defense steps up in win over Rockets

By Matt Miller, NBA.com
Posted Saturday March 20, 2010 1:22AM

HOUSTON (NBA.com exclusive) -- The Houston Rockets needed excellent offensive performances to build their season-high four-game winning streak.

The Boston Celtics used physical defense to snap that streak, defeating the Rockets 94-87 on Friday in front of a sellout crowd at Toyota Center.

"We played aggressive basketball," said Kevin Garnett, who scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. "Defense won the game for us, and it created energy."

Houston (35-32) hadn't shot below 50 percent since March 9 -- the date the win streak began -- but the Rockets weren't missing a ton of open shots Friday. The Celtics (44-24) simply imposed their will on Houston, using their physical defense and quick ball movement to wear down the Rockets.

The Rockets' defense looked more like reactors than aggressors, as it allowed Boston's relentless approach around the basket to keep it off-balance for much of the game. The Celtics, meanwhile, took full advantage of Houston's horrid shooting night (39.5 percent overall) by pushing the tempo off missed shots.

Rondo (game-highs of 10 assists and three steals) didn't score a lot, but his speed presented problems for the Rockets. The young point guard successfully zipped through Houston's defense on several occasions, penetrating into the paint before kicking it out to an open teammate on the perimeter.

And those teammates were ready to sink those shots, as Boston made 10 of 23 3-point attempts. Ray Allen (19 points on 7-of-12 shooting) was the main beneficiary, nailing five of eight attempts from beyond the arc to match his season high. Boston finished with 25 assists on 37 field goals, showing the type of team play coach Doc Rivers has hoped to see on a more consistent basis.

"We controlled the tempo and got good shots, after a poor start," Rivers said. "[Rajon] Rondo did a great job. He was determined to shut down their 3-point shooters. [Houston] is so tough on the glass, and after the first quarter we did a pretty good job of holding them."

Rondo also delivered on the defensive end, refusing to allow Aaron Brooks (10 points, 4-of-12 shooting) to dictate the game's pace. Brooks, who was coming off consecutive 31-point outing, failed to find his range and rarely got around Rondo.

In fact, Rondo was so effective that Brooks only attempted and missed one 3-pointer, ending his franchise record 39-game streak with at least one trey.

"[The Celtics] play a certain way, and they're very physical," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said. "Rondo was very physical on [Brooks] all night long. It's just something he's going to have to learn. Hopefully, next time we face the same situation, he'll do a better job [of adjusting]."

After holding the Rockets without a field goal for a six-minute period that overlapped the first and second quarters, Boston built a double-digit lead. The Celtics also protected the ball well during this stretch, forcing Houston to respond with efficient half-court offense.

The Rockets had some success for short spurts, but didn't receive consistent scoring from any of their players. With the transition game held in check, Houston was hopeless and fell to 0-10 this season when scoring less than 90 points.

The Rockets trailed 50-41 at halftime but began the second half with an authoritative 14-7 run to creep within two. For the first time in the game, Houston matched Boston's defensive intensity, leading to more transition opportunities and open shots.

But the Celtics, who now have the second-most road victories in the NBA this season (23), wouldn't be denied. Even though foul trouble forced Rivers to bench Paul Pierce (game-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting) for most of the third quarter, Boston continued to drain jumpers and outwork a Houston squad that was playing its fourth game in six nights.

The Rockets made another run in the fourth quarter, closing their deficit to 75-71 on a Shane Battier three with 8:11 remaining. Improved ball movement paced Houston's most successful offensive stretch of the night, but the Celtics quickly slowed the Rocket's push by putting hands in shooters' faces.

Then Boston went to its closer -- Paul Pierce -- who had two fouls to spare. He scored 11 of the Celtics' next 13 points, leading Boston on a 13-6 run that pushed its lead to 88-77 with 4:54 left to play.

"[The Rockets] kept making runs. They are a very resilient team and have been playing well," Rivers said. "Ray [Allen] carried us in the first half, and then Pierce came on in the fourth quarter."

Houston could ill-afford Friday's loss, which pushes it five games behind Portland for the West's final playoff spot. Even if the Trailblazers lose to Washington on Friday, the Rockets will trail Portland by 4.5 games with 15 left on their schedule.

Luis Scola (team-high 17 points) was the main source of the Rockets offense in the first half, establishing his presence with a couple of agile spin moves that allowed him to cruise past Garnett for easy layups. He also aggressively attacked the glass on both ends, displaying a desire to deliver the first hit around the rim.

But much like Houston's offense, Scola experienced little success once the Celtics gained control of the tempo. For the first time in seven games, Scola failed to score 20 points.

"[Boston's] a great team," Scola said. "I think they played a pretty intense game today. They were talking a lot and communicating [amongst] themselves.

"I think we were ready to play too, but our offense wasn't fluid in the first half. We came back in the second half and ... we shot a little better, but we were always struggling."

• Celtics: Landry, Scalabrine
• Rockets: Ming, Taylor

• Celtics: --
• Rockets: --

• Lead Changes: 6
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
• Officials: #14 Joe DeRosa, #57 Greg Willard, #40 Leon Wood
• Attendance: 18198
• Duration: 2:13

Boston Celtics (44-24)		Houston Rockets (35-32)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Scola vs Perkins (Garnett gains possession)
Rondo Jump Shot: Missed	11:45
Team Rebound	11:45
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Allen (1 AST)	11:41 [BOS 2-0]
	11:24	Ariza Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Pierce (1 ST)
Pierce Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	11:14
	11:13	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:00 [HOU 2-2]	Scola Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Martin (1 AST)
Allen Jump Shot: Missed	10:46
Allen Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:45
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	10:37
	10:36	Hayes Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:25 [HOU 4-2]	Scola Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Garnett Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:05 [BOS 4-4]
	09:53	Hayes Layup Shot: Missed
	09:52	Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	09:51 [HOU 6-4]	Hayes Putback Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Perkins Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed	09:27
	09:27	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:11	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:10
Allen Pullup Jump shot: Missed	09:04
	09:03	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:48 [HOU 9-4]	Ariza 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Hayes (1 AST)
Garnett Layup Shot: Missed	08:27
	08:27	Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	08:21 [HOU 11-4]	Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	07:57
Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	07:56
	07:54	Hayes Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Perkins Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:54 [BOS 5-11]
Perkins Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	07:54 [BOS 6-11]
	07:38 [HOU 13-6]	Scola Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Allen Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:18 [BOS 8-13]
	07:00	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:59
Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:53 [BOS 10-13]
	06:32	Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Perkins Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Allen (2 AST)	06:12 [BOS 12-13]
	05:54	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:53
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rondo (1 AST)	05:45 [BOS 14-13]
	05:33	Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed
Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:32
	05:28	Ariza Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	05:28	Team Timeout : Regular
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	05:28 [BOS 15-13]
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	05:28 [BOS 16-13]
	05:13 [HOU 15-16]	Scola Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Ariza (1 AST)
Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	04:56
	04:35	Hayes Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (1 ST)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Missed	04:24
	04:23	Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Allen Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:08
	04:08 [HOU 16-16]	Hayes Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	04:08 [HOU 17-16]	Hayes Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Allen (3 AST)	04:00 [BOS 18-17]
	03:48	Brooks Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
	03:48	Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Garnett Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	03:43
Garnett Substitution replaced by Davis	03:43
	03:43 [HOU 18-18]	Scola Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	03:43 [HOU 19-18]	Scola Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Ariza (1 ST)	03:25
	03:21 [HOU 21-18]	Martin Driving Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Rondo Driving Layup Shot: Missed	03:02
	03:01	Hayes Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	02:36	Scola Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Pierce Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	02:35
Davis Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rondo (2 AST)	02:28 [BOS 20-21]
Rondo Foul : Personal (1 PF)	02:18
Team Timeout : Regular	02:18
Pierce Substitution replaced by Daniels	02:18
Perkins Substitution replaced by Wallace	02:18
	02:18	Ariza Substitution replaced by Hill
	02:18	Hayes Substitution replaced by Battier
	02:18	Brooks Substitution replaced by Lowry
	02:00	Lowry 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:00	Team Rebound
	02:00	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Rondo (3 AST)	01:46 [BOS 23-21]
	01:38	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:37
Davis Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Allen (4 AST)	01:33 [BOS 25-21]
Wallace Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	01:18
	01:18 [HOU 22-25]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	01:18 [HOU 23-25]	Martin Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Rondo (4 AST)	01:04 [BOS 28-23]
	01:04	Instant Replay - Support Ruling
	00:49.9	Martin Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Allen (1 ST)
Daniels Layup Shot: Missed	00:42.9
	00:41.9	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:31.9	Battier 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:30.9	Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Wallace Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	00:26.0
	00:26.0 [HOU 24-28]	Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	00:26.0	Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:26.0
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	00:02.0
	00:00.0	Scola 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
Boston Celtics (44-24)		Houston Rockets (35-32)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:42	Andersen Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	11:41
	11:40	Lowry Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)
Wallace Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	11:31 [BOS 30-24]
Robinson Foul : Personal (1 PF)	11:15
	11:14	Team Rebound
	11:12	Robinson Violation:Kicked Ball
Robinson Foul : Personal (2 PF)	11:01
Davis Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:50
	10:50	Andersen Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	10:50	Team Rebound
	10:50	Andersen Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:50
Finley 3pt Shot: Missed	10:35
	10:34	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:27	Lowry Layup Shot: Missed Block: Wallace (1 BLK)
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	10:24
Davis Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hill (1 BLK)	10:18
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:15
Davis Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hill (2 BLK)	10:15
	10:14	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:00	Andersen Layup Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	09:59
	09:40	Hill Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	09:40
Team Rebound	09:40
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	09:40
Team Rebound	09:39
Robinson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)	09:33 [BOS 33-24]
	09:09	Lowry Layup Shot: Missed Block: Wallace (2 BLK)
	09:08	Lowry Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	09:06	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Wallace Jump Shot: Missed	08:52
	08:51	Battier Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:34	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
	08:34	Team Rebound
Daniels Foul : Loose Ball (1 PF)	08:34
	08:34	Timeout : Regular
	08:25	Battier Jump Shot: Missed
	08:23	Budinger Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	08:23 [HOU 26-33]	Budinger Putback Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Finley Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:59 [BOS 35-26]
	07:36	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
Robinson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:35
Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed	07:31
	07:30	Battier Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:18	Lowry 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	07:17
Wallace Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	07:01 [BOS 37-26]
	06:41 [HOU 28-37]	Hill Jump Hook Shot: Made (3 PTS)
	06:30	Andersen Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	06:30	Lowry Substitution replaced by Ariza
	06:30	Budinger Substitution replaced by Brooks
	06:30	Andersen Substitution replaced by Scola
Daniels Substitution replaced by Pierce	06:30
Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett	06:30
Wallace 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Finley (1 AST)	06:17 [BOS 40-28]
Pierce Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:58
	05:58	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:58 [HOU 29-40]	Ariza Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	05:58	Ariza Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:58
Robinson Jump Shot: Missed	05:46
	05:45	Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	05:27 [HOU 31-40]	Hill Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Brooks (1 AST)
Finley Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:27
Robinson Substitution replaced by Perkins	05:27
Finley Substitution replaced by Allen	05:27
Wallace Substitution replaced by Rondo	05:27
	05:27	Hill Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
	05:27	Ariza Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	05:21 [HOU 34-40]	Battier 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Brooks (2 AST)
Pierce Turnaround Fade Away shot: Made (8 PTS)	05:05 [BOS 42-34]
	04:52	Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed
Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:51
	04:41	Scola Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Pierce (1 AST)	04:35 [BOS 44-34]
Perkins Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	04:10
	04:10 [HOU 35-44]	Battier Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	04:10 [HOU 36-44]	Battier Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Perkins Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	04:01
Perkins Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	04:01
	03:49	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	03:48
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	03:25
	03:24	Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	03:14 [HOU 38-44]	Scola Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Brooks (3 AST)
Pierce Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:14
	03:14 [HOU 39-44]	Scola Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)
	03:14	Battier Substitution replaced by Martin
	03:03	Scola Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Garnett Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:03
Team Rebound	03:03
Garnett Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	03:03 [BOS 45-39]
	02:46	Ariza Driving Layup Shot: Missed
	02:45	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	02:39	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	02:38
Allen Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)	02:28 [BOS 47-39]
	02:11	Brooks Layup Shot: Missed
	02:09	Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	02:06	Hill Layup Shot: Missed Block: Perkins (1 BLK)
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	02:04
	02:00	Scola Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:00
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:00
Team Rebound	02:00
	02:00	Scola Substitution replaced by Hayes
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	02:00 [BOS 48-39]
	01:40	Martin Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Pierce (2 ST)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Garnett (1 AST)	01:35 [BOS 50-39]
	01:15	Ariza Jump Shot: Missed
	01:14	Hayes Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
Pierce Foul : Personal (3 PF)	01:14
	01:14 [HOU 40-50]	Hayes Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
Pierce Substitution replaced by Daniels	01:14
	01:14 [HOU 41-50]	Hayes Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	01:02
Team Rebound	01:02
Garnett Foul : Offensive (2 PF)	00:52.5
Garnett Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	00:52.5
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	00:52.5
	00:30.9	Hill Jump Shot: Missed
	00:28.5	Team Rebound
	00:28.5	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	00:14.9
	00:13.4	Brooks Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	00:01.9	Brooks Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Rondo (2 ST)
Rondo 3pt Shot: Missed	00:01.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
Boston Celtics (44-24)		Houston Rockets (35-32)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:44	Brooks Layup Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	11:42
Pierce Foul : Offensive (4 PF)	11:36
Pierce Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	11:36
	11:16	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	11:15
Pierce Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	10:59
	10:58	Hayes Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	10:39	Brooks Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
Pierce Substitution replaced by Daniels	10:39
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	10:24
	10:23	Ariza Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	10:17	Ariza Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Rondo (3 ST)
Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Martin (1 ST)	10:12
Perkins Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	10:06
	10:06 [HOU 42-50]	Hayes Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	10:06	Hayes Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	10:06	Ariza Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)
Garnett Foul : Personal (3 PF)	09:59
	09:49 [HOU 44-50]	Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Rondo Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Ariza (2 ST)	09:42
	09:26	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
	09:24	Brooks Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	09:24 [HOU 46-50]	Brooks Tip Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Perkins Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Garnett (2 AST)	09:03 [BOS 52-46]
	08:36 [HOU 49-52]	Martin 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	08:11
	08:10	Hayes Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	07:54 [HOU 52-52]	Ariza 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Scola (1 AST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Perkins (1 AST)	07:34 [BOS 54-52]
	07:17	Scola Jump Hook Shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	07:16
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Rondo (5 AST)	07:06 [BOS 57-52]
	06:45	Ariza Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Garnett 3pt Shot: Missed	06:19
	06:18	Brooks Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	06:08 [HOU 54-57]	Martin Running Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Ariza (2 AST)
Allen Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	06:08
	06:08 [HOU 55-57]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS)
Perkins Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	05:54
	05:53	Ariza Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
Rondo Foul : Personal (2 PF)	05:47
	05:47	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:29	Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Perkins (2 BLK)
Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:28
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Rondo (6 AST)	05:22 [BOS 60-55]
	05:09 [HOU 57-60]	Martin Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Scola (2 AST)
Perkins Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Allen (5 AST)	04:43 [BOS 62-57]
Perkins Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	04:23
Rondo Substitution replaced by Robinson	04:23
	04:23 [HOU 58-62]	Martin Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)
	04:23	Martin Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	04:23
Allen Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Martin (2 ST)	04:11
	04:08 [HOU 60-62]	Martin Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Hayes Violation:Kicked Ball	03:51
	03:51	Martin Substitution replaced by Battier
Allen 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS)	03:38 [BOS 65-60]
	03:18	Ariza Turnover : Traveling (4 TO)
Garnett Substitution replaced by Wallace	03:18
Perkins Substitution replaced by Davis	03:18
Davis Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Ariza (3 ST)	03:11
	03:06 [HOU 62-65]	Ariza Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed	02:51
	02:50	Battier Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:43
	02:43	Jump Ball Brooks vs Robinson (Wallace gains possession)
	02:43	Brooks Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Robinson (1 ST)
Robinson 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Allen (6 AST)	02:37 [BOS 68-62]
	02:20	Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	02:19
Robinson Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Wallace (1 AST)	02:04 [BOS 70-62]
	01:38	Battier 3pt Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	01:37
Wallace 3pt Shot: Missed	01:25
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	01:24
	01:22	Hayes Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
	01:22	Ariza Substitution replaced by Lowry
Daniels Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed	01:14
	01:12	Team Rebound
	01:04	Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	01:04
Davis Hook Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Robinson (1 AST)	00:56.5 [BOS 72-62]
	00:40.9	Scola Jump Shot: Missed
Daniels Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:39.9
	00:31.9	Hayes Substitution replaced by Hill
Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed	00:28.9
	00:27.4	Team Rebound
	00:03.9	Brooks Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)	00:02.8
End of 3rd Quarter
Boston Celtics (44-24)		Houston Rockets (35-32)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Wallace Jump Shot: Missed	11:42
	11:40	Lowry Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	11:36 [HOU 64-72]	Lowry Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Wallace Layup Shot: Missed	11:16
Pierce Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	11:14
Robinson 3pt Shot: Missed	11:10
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	11:09
Davis Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hill (3 BLK)	11:06
Davis Rebound (Off:4 Def:1)	11:04
	11:04	Battier Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	11:04 [BOS 73-64]
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	11:04
	11:04	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Wallace Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	10:46
	10:46 [HOU 65-73]	Lowry Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	10:46 [HOU 66-73]	Lowry Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Davis Dunk Shot: Missed Block: Hill (4 BLK)	10:27
	10:25	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	10:11 [HOU 68-73]	Martin Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (17 PTS)
Robinson Jump Shot: Missed	09:44
	09:43	Battier Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	09:37	Battier 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	09:36
Team Timeout : Regular	09:35
Robinson Substitution replaced by Rondo	09:35
Wallace 3pt Shot: Missed	09:19
Davis Rebound (Off:5 Def:2)	09:18
Davis Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Battier (1 ST)	09:15
	09:10	Martin 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:09	Scola Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)
Rondo Foul : Personal (3 PF)	09:08
	08:54	Martin Jump Shot: Missed
Finley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:53
Pierce Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hill (5 BLK)	08:41
Pierce Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	08:39
Pierce Putback Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)	08:37 [BOS 75-68]
	08:12 [HOU 71-75]	Battier 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Lowry (1 AST)
Pierce Driving Layup Shot: Missed	07:56
Pierce Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	07:54
Pierce Putback Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)	07:54 [BOS 77-71]
Rondo Foul : Personal (4 PF)	07:41
Davis Substitution replaced by Garnett	07:41
	07:28	Lowry Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Wallace (1 ST)
	07:23	Lowry Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)	07:23 [BOS 78-71]
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)	07:23 [BOS 79-71]
Finley Foul : Personal (2 PF)	07:11
Garnett Foul : Personal (4 PF)	07:05
	07:05 [HOU 72-79]	Scola Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	07:05 [HOU 73-79]	Scola Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
	06:55	Hill Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Finley Substitution replaced by Allen	06:55
Pierce Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	06:55
Team Rebound	06:55
Pierce Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	06:55 [BOS 80-73]
	06:39	Lowry Floating Jump shot: Missed
Team Rebound	06:39
Garnett Jump Hook Shot: Made (11 PTS)	06:24 [BOS 82-73]
	06:10 [HOU 75-82]	Scola Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Lowry (2 AST)
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (21 PTS) Assist: Rondo (7 AST)	05:53 [BOS 85-75]
	05:30 [HOU 77-85]	Hill Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Lowry (3 AST)
Rondo Layup Shot: Missed	05:09
	05:07	Scola Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)
	05:01	Martin Running Jump Shot: Missed
Wallace Rebound (Off:0 Def:9)	05:00
Pierce 3pt Shot: Made (24 PTS) Assist: Rondo (8 AST)	04:54 [BOS 88-77]
	04:51	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:51	Battier Substitution replaced by Ariza
	04:51	Lowry Substitution replaced by Brooks
Wallace Substitution replaced by Perkins	04:51
	04:35	Ariza Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Perkins (1 ST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Rondo (9 AST)	04:21 [BOS 90-77]
	04:06 [HOU 79-90]	Ariza Driving Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Scola (3 AST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Rondo (10 AST)	03:49 [BOS 92-79]
	03:31 [HOU 81-92]	Hill Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Martin (2 AST)
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	03:14
	03:13	Scola Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)
	02:53	Ariza Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Perkins Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:52
Allen 3pt Shot: Missed	02:42
	02:41	Scola Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)
Garnett Foul : Personal (5 PF)	02:31
	02:31	Timeout : Regular
	02:31 [HOU 82-92]	Brooks Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	02:31 [HOU 83-92]	Brooks Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Pierce Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Brooks (1 ST)	02:18
	02:14 [HOU 85-92]	Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Perkins Layup Shot: Missed	01:53
	01:52	Hill Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
	01:38	Hill Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Rondo Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	01:37
Garnett Jump Shot: Missed	01:14
	01:13	Martin Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	01:03 [HOU 87-92]	Hill Layup Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Martin (3 AST)
Pierce Layup Shot: Made (26 PTS) Assist: Garnett (3 AST)	00:47.2 [BOS 94-87]
	00:47.2	Team Timeout : Regular
	00:42.9	Brooks Running Jump Shot: Missed
Garnett Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)	00:41.8
	00:41.8	Brooks Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	00:17.8
	00:17.8	Team Timeout : Short
	00:12.8	Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:12.8	Jump Ball Hill vs Perkins (Allen gains possession)
Team Rebound	00:12.8
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
country		channel			time
usa			NBA TV	National	8:30 pm ET
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		--	CSN-NE	Local	8:30 pm ET
canada			RTV	national	8:30 pm ET