Donatas Motiejunas scored 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Houston Rockets over the Boston Celtics 93-87 Friday night for their fourth straight win.
Motiejunas also had 12 rebounds as the Rockets improved to 17-7 on the road, best in the Western Conference.
Houston led by 18 at halftime. The Celtics held the Rockets to 4-for-20 shooting in the third quarter, and a 6-0 run capped by Brandon Bass’ two free throws cut the lead to 82-79 in the fourth.
Motiejunas scored the next four points for the Rockets. He dunked off a miss by James Harden, then converted an alley-oop pass from Harden.
Terrance Smith had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won three in a row while star Dwight Howard recuperates from a sprained ankle.
Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer, had 14 points on 4-for-21 shooting. Corey Brewer scored 10 for Houston.
Marcus Thornton and Bass each had 17 for the Celtics. Tayshaun Prince had 13 points and Avery Bradley added 10.
TIP-INS
Rockets: The team has not put a timetable on Howard’s return. “We won’t have Dwight for a while, I’m sure, so we’re going to just go out there and play,” coach Kevin McHale said. … The game was played 21 years to the day the Celtics retired McHale’s number. McHale on his return to snowy Boston: “The streets get smaller, baby, I’ll tell you that.” … Harden had a four-point play in the first quarter, knocking down a 3-pointer over Marcus Smart and hitting the subsequent foul shot.
Celtics: Fell to 4-20 against teams .500 or better … Smart has improved his 3-point shooting each month. He shot the 3 at a 43 percent clip in January.
UP NEXT
Rockets: At Detroit on Saturday.
Celtics: Host Miami on Sunday.