Rockets Beat Celtics 109-93 Behind Alperen Sengun's 26 Points and 10 Assists, and Move Into First Place in the West
Houston never trailed at Toyota Center, broke the game open with a 10-0 fourth-quarter run, and - with Memphis losing in overtime - woke up alone in first place in the Western Conference at 7-1, its best start since 2014-15.
HOUSTON - The Houston Rockets beat the Boston Celtics 109-93 on Monday night at Toyota Center, snapping Boston's five-game winning streak and moving into first place in the Western Conference behind a commanding night from Alperen Sengun.
Sengun posted 26 points and 10 assists, shooting 12 of 15 from the field, and added seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He capped a 10-0 fourth-quarter run with a hook shot that lifted the Rockets to a 97-79 lead, and after Boston clawed within 13, he passed out of a trap to assist an Amen Thompson dunk with 2:29 left that secured the win. Jabari Smith Jr. added a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Kevin Durant scored 12 points.
Houston never trailed. The game was tied 29-29 after the first quarter, the Rockets led 57-50 at halftime, and Durant's lone second-half basket, with 16.9 seconds left in the third, sent Houston into the fourth quarter up 82-73. The Rockets shot 54.4 percent, outscored the Celtics 50-34 in the paint and 18-2 on fast-break points.
Jayson Tatum led Boston with 19 points and nine assists but missed 11 of his 16 shots, and Luka Garza added 14 points and four 3-pointers off the bench. The Celtics, playing the second night of a back-to-back, lost for the first time since their season opener.
The win improved Houston to 7-1, and with the previously undefeated Memphis Grizzlies losing to New Orleans in overtime, the Rockets stand alone atop the West - their best start since the 2014-15 season. The three-game homestand concludes Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
