POST GAME HOUSTON

5 IN A ROW AND COUNTING!

GAME STATS

Rebounds - Celtics 43/ Houston 38 ........ Offensive - Celtics 8/Houston 12 ........Defensive - Celtics 35/ Houston 26
Points In The Paint - Celtics 40/ Houston 48
Fast Break Points - Celtics 6/ Houston 24
FG - Celtics 41/79 (51.9%) - Houston - 35/80 (43.8%)
3PM - Celtics 9/23 (39.1%) Houston 9/33 (27.3%)
FTM - Celtics 12/16 (75%) Houston 12/29 (41.4%
TO - Celtics 16/ Houston 14
Assists - Celtics 22/ Houston 23
STL - Celtics 8/ Houston 9
BLK - Celtics 6/ Houston 1
PF - Celtics 29/ Houston 21
Bench Points - Celtics 40/ Houston 25



NEXT GAME - MONDAY - HOME - 7:30PM - BOBCATS - CSNE/NBA LEAGUE PASS

POST GAME RECAP

ESPNBOSTON.COM

Rapid reaction: Celtics 103, Rockets 91

By Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com

Celtics rookie Jared Sullinger put together another monster night against the Rockets.
BOSTON -- Rapid reaction after the Boston Celtics defeated the Houston Rockets 103-91 on Friday night at TD Garden:

THE NITTY GRITTY
Paul Pierce scored a team-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting (doing most of his damage in the second half), while Kevin Garnett added 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting with eight rebounds to pace the Celtics. Boston got another big effort from its bench with Courtney Lee and Jared Sullinger chipping in 14 points apiece. The Celtics shot 51.9 percent (41 of 79) from the floor and 39.1 percent (9 of 23) from beyond the arc. Avery Bradley's pesky defense limited James Harden to a modest 24 points on 9-of-19 shooting, while Chandler Parsons (18 points) and Jeremy Lin (12 points) joined him in double figures for the Rockets.

TURNING POINT I: BENCH BALL
For the second straight game, the Boston bench turned the game around in the second quarter and in similar fashion with Jeff Green's dunks lighting the fuse. A one-possession contest midway through the second frame, Green sandwiched a pair of dunks around a Jason Terry 3-pointer and Lee followed with a triple of his own to put Boston out front 46-33 after a dizzying 90-second outburst. Sullinger played all 12 second-quarter minutes, registering eight points and five rebounds (he had 14 and 8 for the half) and was a big reason Boston ripped the game open a bit. For good measure, the Boston starters opened the second half on a 9-0 run -- Pierce hitting a pair of 3-pointers and adding a pair of free throws while doing the heavy lifting -- to carve out a 17-point cushion.

TURNING POINT II: C'S WITHSTAND ROCKETS CHARGE
The Celtics were up 14 with 10:14 to play, but the Rockets wouldn't go quietly. A Carlos Delfino 3-pointer sparked a 12-0 run (one in which Boston missed layups and turned the ball over carelessly). A Parsons dunk had Boston clinging to an 83-81 lead with 7:22 to go, but Pierce scored coming out of a momentum-sapping timeout and the Celtics put together a 9-1 burst to push the lead back to double digits with just under six minutes to go.

CHARITY STRIPE INDEED
The Celtics busted out their finest free-throw line defense as the Rockets missed a whopping 17 freebies (on 29 attempts; 41.4 percent). The Celtics didn't get themselves to the line very often, but took advantage when they did (12 of 16, 75 percent).

WHAT IT MEANS
The Celtics (19-17) push their winning streak to a season-high five games and are two games over .500 for the first time since losing in Houston on Dec. 14. With the Knicks getting stomped by Chicago, Boston should move within four games of the top spot in the Atlantic Division. This wasn't a perfect effort and Boston lost its focus -- almost critically -- for a stretch in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics showed quality resolve pushing their lead right back up to double digits in the fourth quarter. The Celtics have the weekend off before three more home games next week (Charlotte, New Orleans, and Chicago).
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CSNE

Celtics halt Rockets launch, 103-91

A. SHERROD BLAKLEY

BOSTON — In a bit of role reversal, it was Boston's bench that set the tone in Friday's 103-91 win over Houston and the starters who came to the rescue in the fourth quarter.

After Houston cut Boston's lead to just 83-81 in the fourth, all but wiping out a comfortable lead built primarily on the strong play of the backups, the C's starters went on a 15-3 run to push the lead back to double digits, 98-84, with 3:06 to play.

The Celtics (19-17), winners of five in a row now, never allowed the Rockets to come close to being a serious threat for the remainder of the game.

Boston's second unit for the second time in as many games played a pivotal - and dare we say, dominant - role in helping the C's extend their season best winning streak to five in a row.

Jared Sullinger continues to show why a number of teams regret not selecting him in June's NBA draft, red flag or not.

His scoring and work around the basket has given the Celtics a dimension that no other player on this roster provides. He finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

And Courtney Lee, who looked tentative and at times just bad at the start of the season, has been a defensive spark plug and a much more efficient scorer. Like Sullinger, he too had 14 points to go with three assists.

Throw in solid production from Jeff Green (9 points, two rebounds, two assists) and you have the kind of high-impact rotation off the bench that the C's envisioned at the start of the season.

And to get it done defensively against the league's highest-scoring team, speaks volumes as to how far the Celtics have come since these two met on Dec. 14 and the Rockets easily won, 101-89.

"We weren't playing the way we wanted to," Bradley said of last month's loss in Houston. "We had flashes of playing the way we want to play every now and then."

But the questions about Boston's consistency - at least for now - can be laid to rest.

They have strung together enough victories of late doing it with defense, to make one believe that maybe just maybe, this team has at the very least turned the corner from their up-and-down, inconsistent ways to start the season.

And beating the red-hot Rockets does qualify as a quality victory despite them being the youngest team in the NBA.

They came into Friday's game having won 12 of their last 16 games. And against the Eastern Conference this season, Houston had a gaudy 14-2 record.

But none of that mattered on Friday, not with the Celtics playing the kind of defense from tip-off to the final horn that positioned them for yet another victory.

After scoring six of the game's first eight points, the Celtics were on the short end of a 15-2 run that had the look and feel of Houston's win over Boston last month.

But then Jared Sullinger entered the game.

And things were never quite the same for either team.

Sullinger's hustle around the boards along with scoring positioned the C's to not just get back into the game but actually take over.

Although his play was dominant, but the play of Lee, Green and Jason Terry (3 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds) was also key.

While it's not unusual for a second unit to come in and rescue the starters when they struggle, that wasn't really the case on Friday.

Boston's first group didn't play poorly. Not with Paul Pierce scoring a team-high 23 points to go with six rebounds, or Kevin Garnett tallying 17 points and eight hard-earned rebounds.

It's just that Boston's second unit for the most of the night, was better.

And when you're building towards becoming a complete team, it's a good thing to have nights like that from time to time.
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WEEI 93.7 fm


JARED SULLINGER AND PAUL PIERCE GET REVENGE ON THE ROCKETS 01.11.13 at 9:58 pm ET
By Mike Petraglia

Kevin Garnett and the Celtics got the best of James Harden and the Rockets Friday. (AP)

Paul Pierce scored 23 points while Jared Sullinger had 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench as the Celtics withstood a late charge from the Rockets to win their fifth straight, 103-91, Friday night at TD Garden. Kevin Garnett added 17 points and eight rebounds and Courtney Lee had 14 points for the Celtics, who improve to 19-17 on the season.

James Harden had 21 and Jeremy Lin added 12 points for the Rockets, who had to settle for a season split of their series with the Celtics. Houston beat Boston, 101-89, on Dec. 14 at the Toyota Center in Houston.

Early on, it was a game of runs. The Celtics jumped out to an 8-4 lead before the Rockets responded with a 13-0 spurt, as Jeremy Lin and James Harden hit 3-pointers in the spurt. But the Celtics came back with a 14-2 run of their own as Jeff Green and Courtney Lee hit consecutive threes. Boston took a 24-21 lead after 12 minutes.

Sullinger took over in the second quarter and led a bench effort that dominated for the second straight game. Sullinger had 14 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Those were the same numbers posted by Celtics starters combined until Pierce hit a three with 1:27 left in the second quarter. The Celtics bench had a season-high 36 points in the first half, outscoring the Houston reserves, 36-9, and taking a 53-45 halftime lead.

While the Celtics were held without a free throw in the first half, the Rockets self-destructed at the line, converting just 5-of-12 from the charity stripe. The Rockets finished the game a miserable 12-of-29 from the line.

Pierce came out on fire in the third quarter scoring eight of Boston’s first nine points in a 9-0 run that stretched the lead to 17. Pierce finished the third with 11 points and the Celtics led 78-66 going into the fourth.

The Rockets finally heated up in the fourth quarter and took advantage of Celtics sloppiness and a key foul. Sullinger picked up his fifth foul with 10:01 left and the Celtics leading 83-69. Houston scored the next 12 points thanks to several turnovers. The run was finished off when Harden fed Parsons for a one-handed dunk over Pierce with 7:22 left in the fourth, cutting Boston’s lead to two, 83-81.

But it was Pierce to the rescue. Pierce ended the Rockets’ 12-0 run with a basket with just under seven minutes left. Moments later, he was fouled on his layup and converted the three-point play to put Boston up, 92-82, with 5:51 left. A Garnett fadeaway jumper with 4:42 put the Celtics up, 94-82.

112288

Hi,
One more W at the expense of a good team. Way to go guys.
Defense was doing its job, most of the time.
As far as offense, I have 2 concerns. BB has to start hitting mid-range jumpers. Last season it was so effective: RR penetrates, draws 2 defenders, pass back to BB - (I'd say) 70-80% ball goes in. Nowdays, he has some hesitation or whatever and the ball rims out.
The other one is JT: I hope he'll get out of his shooting slump soon.
Actually, there's 3rd concern - RR. I'd like him to increase the number of games where all minutes that he's on the floor he plays 100%.
In conclusion one more hope: Celtics don't take Monday night off when Bobcats in town.

AK

We have 2 spots open as we near the trading deadline. I would like 1 good shooter - combo guard/forward and 1 big guy PF/C.

If we can accomplish this we could make a deep run to the finals. However the team has to continue buying into the defensive strategy to win games.

SIDE NOTE

It is a shame that it took Bradley coming back and showing how tight defensive is played to motivate other players like JT, BB and to some extent JG. If you notice these 3 players are now showing more tight coverage on their man and busting their butts trying to defend.

I guess they felt guilty.

112288

I don't know how/why someone who was a banger when he was a player was able to turn a team into a running team in less than a year, but that's what Kevin McHale has done with the Houston Rockets. They are the highest scoring team in the NBA at 106ppg. Last night they only got 91. If you are your record, the Rockets are a better team than we are. Ask me again in a week or two and you might get a different answer.

We are consistently beating good teams now. That is good for so many reasons I wouldn't even know where to begin. The improvements in the moral and play of the bench would be a good start. In the first half our bench (36 points, 12 boards, 9 assists and only 1 TO) outplayed the starting unit of the 21-15 Houston Rockets (35 points, 16 boards, 7 assists and 6 TOs), and probably did it needing fewer minutes too. Welcome to the future, ladies and gentlemen...

1. A very good game by Courtney Lee coming off the bench. 14 points on 5-7 and 2-3 from 3. That's very nice and has been lacking from Lee's game, but the best part of last night was his defense on new NBA superstar James Harden. He consistently forced the lefty to his right, making for tougher finishes by him. Very heady play by him. The last time Harden scored less than 25 points in a game was the last time we played against him. Lee has usually been a starter on the other teams he has played on, so it has taken a little time to get his mind around coming off the bench, but the last couple of games makes it look like he's finally there. Any concerns about a drop off in back court defense when Bradley sits down can be laid to rest.

2. Sully had an absolutely monstrous first half. 14 points, 8 boards (4 offensive) in 17 minutes. He completely dominated both ends of the glass. He had one offensive rebound where he was in the middle of 3 Rockets and he just sucked that ball into his Hoover hands and laid it in. It was awesome. He didn't produce much in the 2nd half, only 3 more boards and no points, but the damage he did in the 1st half was more than enough to change the tone of the game. The entire bench was riding his wave in the 2nd quarter. He leads the league , not just rookies, in +/- with a +67. Notice how I don't put any faith in the +/- for bench players except when it says good things about Sully? Damon Lilliard is a starter on a team that is positioned to make the playoffs, that gives him the inside track on ROY, but Sully's going to get some votes, especially if he keeps going like this. At some point, somebody will start questioning Lilliard's defense and his 43% shooting %. He's also averaging 38mpg. If Sully averaged 38mpg his numbers would be impressive too.

3. Jeff Green's athletic ability, when he's exhibiting it, scares the shit out of other teams. You see them change up their defenses when he has the ball out on the wing. They now know that if he puts the ball on the floor his defender is doomed, and so they compensate. Last night he was attacking. Green at 3 and Sully at 4. The future, and it's looking so bright right now I gotta wear shades.

4. JET must be a Dreamliner. Looks good rolling off the tarmac, gets in a few good flights, then is grounded due to technical difficulties. He needs to be more consistent. Not a good game for Terry. Barbosa never got off the bench. I'm done with this for now, I'm enjoying myself too much to stay on it.

5. Their 44% fg% was better than their 41% ft%. Wouldn't count on that happening again, unless Omer Asik is living at the line. They took 29ftas and only hit 12. The good news is that if they shot 80% from the line they still would have lost, that's the difference between our offensive efficiency and theirs, and if Asik touches the ball at all they are not going to shoot 81%. He's shooting 53% this season and was 1-8 last night. It's disheartening to an offense when they do everything right, get fouled and go to the line and come away empty.

6. The starters had a crappy first half, let a 14 point lead shrink to a 2 point lead in the 2nd half but then put together a nice run starting with 6 minutes left or so in the game to balloon the lead up to 8-9 and salt the game away. Obviously, I'd prefer the starters to play well from start to finish, but as long as the bench is playing like this we can get away with it. Pierce hit the first few shots of the game, went cold but led that final run in the 4th with KG. Not good first halfs but good 4th quarters with final numbers of 23 and 17 for Mssrs Pierce and Garnett respectively. Bradley did not have a good offensive game (2-9) but did a good job on Harden. He didn't overplay him to the left like Lee did, but he was a completely irritating gnat, pestering Harden's dribble all game. Different style of defense but effective too. Rondo didn't have a stellar game, but it was ok. If he was anybody but Rondo you'd say he was "ok", we've just come to expect more from him. He played up on Lin-sanity.

7. Doc and McHale were not happy with the refs last night. KG got away with an obvious goaltend. Harden got a block call on Bradley that was SO obviously a charge. They took the time to review a foul to make sure it wasn't a "clear path" foul when it was obvious Lee was in front of Lin when he committed it (good foul by Lee, btw). With a ref standing 3' away and a perfect angle a call was called on Bradley for daring to come in contact with the outstretched arm of Toney Douglas. It wasn't bias, it was just poor all the way around.

8. We shot 52% for the game vs 44% for them. We outrebounded them 43-38. Where they outplayed us was in fast breaks. They had 24 fast break points vs 6 for us. Rondo didn't run full court last night, but they did at every opportunity. Parson, Smith, Asik and, of course, Lin and Harden. They all ran. They had more points in the paint than us, but I think that includes the lop-sided fast break totals.

A 5 game winning streak, 4 of them against >.500 teams. Nice. Our defense is back.

Upcoming games against Charlotte and NO at home will give us an opportunity to extend this streak to 7. Chicago comes to town Friday and then we go on the road for 3 games in Detroit and Cleveland. So, with some grit and spit this could be a 10 game streak with only 1 team to really stop us from doing it. 2 easy, 1 hard, then 2 easy.

Chicago is at home against Phx, then on the road for Atlanta and Toronto. Two easy, one tough. Atlanta has the Wiz, Chicago and then a home/away with Brooklyn, 3 tough, 1 easy. Brooklyn has Indy and Toronto, then a home/away with Atlanta, 3 tough and 1 easy.


Lookin' good, lookin' good.


bob


.

This is another game where our bench set the tone on both ends of the floor. If the starters could also run like that we will start blowing teams off the court.

With respect to additions we need a big and a BU PG.

I like the team and at this point I would be reluctant to trade one of our players. I do not think we need a major move. This team is now playing the type of basketball that we envisioned at the start of the season.

The Bradley factor was well documented before his return. This just proves that one player can in fact have a transformative impact on a team.

Jared Sullinger is a freakin beast!

He is playing well enough to be a starter but until we can find a reliable big to come off the bench, Sully's value can be defined as anchoring a second unit that is actually outperforming our starters.

The Knicks lost again last night and at this point must be looking over their shoulders as the Celtics are closer than they appear to be. Like an object viewed from a side mirror.

We are getting quality wins.

Go Celts!

dboss