Derrick White's 28-point performance propelled the Boston Celtics to a 114-93 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Despite missing star player Jaylen Brown due to left hamstring tightness in the second game of a back-to-back, White's six 3-pointers and scoring prowess helped the Celtics secure their fourth consecutive win.
The game saw a heated exchange between Houston coach Ime Udoka and officials, resulting in Udoka's ejection at the end of the third quarter after receiving a double technical. Alperen Sengun was also tossed midway through the fourth quarter for arguing with an official. The Rockets struggled to keep up with Boston's momentum, as the Celtics went on an 18-3 run in the third quarter, extending their lead to 67-48 with seven minutes left. White and Baylor Scheierman each contributed two 3-pointers during this stretch.
The Rockets' Amen Thompson briefly narrowed the gap with a 3-pointer early in the third, but Boston responded with a 10-1 spurt, pushing their lead to 77-51 with four minutes remaining. White was a key factor in this run, scoring the first eight points with two 3-pointers. Reed Sheppard's loose ball foul near the end of the quarter led to Udoka's ejection and two technical fouls, which Boston converted into four free throws, making the score 87-63 at the start of the fourth.
Kevin Durant, returning from a sprained left ankle, led the Rockets with 15 points, while Sengun contributed 13 points and nine rebounds. Neemias Queta had a strong performance with 10 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, and Luka Garza added 19 points to the Celtics' victory. The Celtics will host Miami on Friday, while the Rockets will face Charlotte on Thursday.
This win showcases the Celtics' resilience and White's clutch performance, despite the absence of a key player. The Rockets' struggles with fouls and technicals may have contributed to their loss, highlighting the importance of maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.
