Rockets-Celtics: Houston Spoils Boston's Chance For Redemption

The Celtics came into this game having lost five of their last seven games, and were looking to turn things around at home against the injury-plagued Rockets.

Maybe next time.

The Rockets have been playing horrible basketball the past two weeks.  They had lost six of their past eight coming in, and were looking for any answer to the terrible shooting of late.  Von Wafer and Aaron Brooks were viable solutions.

The Celtics opened the game on fire.  Paul Pierce connected on all of his shot attempts, including three three-pointers. They shot 67 percent in the first quarter, 80 percent from behind the arc, and outscored the Rockets 31-22. 

I couldn't help but think to myself, "here we go again."

But a recurring theme for the Rockets this season is the ability of the second unit to consistently come in and either maintain or extend leads, or in this case, bring the Rockets back from behind. 

The second unit, led by Aaron Brooks, came in and ignited a run that saw the Rockets come back from an 11 point deficit, and bring it to a three point lead at halftime, outscoring the Celtics 30-18.

The Rockets extended the lead to six to start the third quarter, only to have Paul Pierce lead the Celtics back to regain the lead.  He was 2-4 from the field, but was 8-8 from the line for a total of 13 points.  Celtics outscored the Rockets in the third 25-19 to take the lead 74-71 heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter featured defense by the Rockets I had not seen all season.  They were switching off screens, swarming to the paint, and in the face of every shot the entire quarter.  The Celtics went 4-18 from the field, giving the Rockets just enough of a window to come back.

That window was crashed open by Yao Ming and Von Wafer.

Yao scored eight points in the fourth quarter and Wafer three, but the two combined for the biggest shots of the game.  Coincidentally, they also combined for the same total —11—that the Celtics scored in the fourth quarter as a team. 

With the Rockets up two, and the Celtics in desperate need of a basket, they went to their guy, Paul Pierce, who proceeded to hit a 19-foot jumper with 2:43 left to tie the game.  Yao Ming, who has been lights-out from the free throw line his whole career, got fouled with 2:21 and only made one of two chances.

With 1:34 left, Kevin Garnett fed a beautiful pass to Rondo underneath to give the Celtics a one point lead, 85-84. 

After a bold charge and great play by Aaron Brooks, the Rockets were given the ball with 59 seconds to play.  Brooks penetrated and dished out to Wafer in the corner, who knocked down a cold-blooded three pointer with 43 ticks left.

Rockets' Announcer Bill Warrell could barely contain himself.

Once again with the game on the line, the Celtics went to their main man.  With Von Wafer draped all over him, Pierce missed a jumper from the free throw line.  A missed shot by Brooks sigh a put-back by Yao to follow, the Rockets had sealed their fate. Another missed shot by the Celtics ended the game and the final score was 89-85.

Hopefully the Rockets' shooting slump has officially come to an end, given the tough home stand the Rockets face in the coming weeks.  The Rockets have a date with Oklahoma City, then are home for the Knicks, Lakers, Heat, Nuggets, and Jazz. 

It's safe to say the Rockets will need their 'A' game for that stretch.

*Notes: Ron Artest played, but fouled out with 3:03 ;left on a questionable call.  This was a blessing in disguise, it seems, as this allowed Von Wafer to be brought back in the game.

*Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier were in street clothes again.  It seems the injury bug is here to stay. Hopefully this means fresh legs for the playoffs, if they make it that far.