Rockets beat the Celtics 109-93 to improve to 7-1 and take first place in the West
Alperen Sengun had 26 points and 10 assists as Houston snapped Boston's five-game win streak and moved ahead of Memphis after the Grizzlies lost in overtime.
The Rockets improved to 7-1 at Toyota Center on Monday night
The Houston Rockets are off to their best start in 12 years, and Monday night gave them company at the top of the Western Conference. Alperen Sengun scored 26 points with 10 assists and seven rebounds as Houston beat the Boston Celtics 109-93 at Toyota Center, improving to 7-1 and snapping Boston's five-game winning streak, ESPN reported.
The timing helped. The Rockets moved into first place in the West after the previously undefeated Memphis Grizzlies lost to New Orleans in overtime, 135-134. Memphis is now 6-1. Houston's only loss this season came to Dallas in NBA Cup play, and the team has since won twice by a combined 37 points, including a 119-98 win over Oklahoma City on Saturday, Yahoo Sports noted.
You might be interested in
Sengun was efficient. He shot 12 of 15 from the field and finished with just one turnover. Jabari Smith Jr. had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Amen Thompson scored 14, and Tari Eason added 13 off the bench. Fred VanVleet handed out nine assists in his return to the lineup. The Rockets shot 54.4% from the field, assisted on 34 of their 43 made baskets and outscored Boston 50-34 in the paint.
Kevin Durant's night was quiet by his standards. He scored 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting in 33 minutes, and he did not attempt a three-pointer, which Sports Illustrated pointed out was the first time that had happened since March 15, 2022, when he played for Brooklyn. The Rockets did not need more from him, which says something about the depth around him.
That depth was tested. Houston was missing center Clint Capela, who has a sprained right ankle, along with Steven Adams, so Oscar Tshiebwe was the only other center available and played about seven minutes. The Rockets still never trailed, and their defense held Boston to 38.6% shooting.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 19 points but shot 5 of 16, including 1 of 7 from three-point range. Neemias Queta had 16 points and Luka Garza added 14. Boston was playing the second night of a back-to-back, having beaten Orlando 108-97 on Sunday, and rested Paul George. It was the Celtics' first loss since their season opener at Detroit. Marcus Smart, facing his former team, had eight points, four rebounds and four assists for Houston.
Houston now gets a quick turn. The Rockets host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, and with Memphis only a game back, a lead in early November is a thin one. Still, 7-1 with a perfect 4-0 record at home is a strong place to begin.