The Rockets have started 3-0 for the third consecutive season after beating the Celtics 104-90 in their home opener.
Terrence Jones got the ball rolling with eight points and two rebounds in the first four minutes as the Rockets jumped to an early double-digit lead. The Rockets would put 37 points on the board in the first quarter – their highest-scoring quarter of the young season.
The Rockets bench would keep the action going as Jason Terry hit a three and pulled out his trademark “jet” run down the court and Tarik Black made his presence known with a monster block on a Marcus Smart dunk attempt.
The Rockets held the Celtics to only 38 points in the first half en route to a 57-38 lead at the break.
In the third, the Rockets struggled with their shots a bit, even letting their overall field goal percentage briefly dip below Boston’s. The Celtics went on a 9-0 run and cut the Rockets lead down to 11.
However, the Rockets would break out of the funk as James Harden heated up, scoring 12 of his 26 in the third including a beautiful step back 3 to close the quarter with a 19-point lead.
Harden would sit out the fourth quarter, but he still totaled 26 points, eight rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. In the entire NBA in the last three seasons, there have only been four games of 20+ points, 8+rebounds, 6+ assists and 4+ steals. Harden is responsible for three of the four games.
The Celtics did teeter on the brink of history tonight, going 0-21 3PTM before hitting their first with just over three minutes left in the fourth. If that shot had missed, they would have tied the NBA record for most consecutive three-pointers missed in a game.
Terrence Jones would double the Celtic’s total 3-point output by sinking two from behind-the-arc along his way to 25 points and 10 rebounds (his second career 25+ point, 10+ rebound game).
With the win against Boston, the Rockets have won their first three games by a combined +43 margin of victory – their largest margin since the team won their first three by a combined +45 to begin the 1993-94 season.
The Rockets look to make it four in a row Monday night in Philadelphia.