The Celtics didn’t forget what happened back in November - and on Tuesday night, they made sure the Rockets didn’t forget either.
Three months ago, Houston rolled into TD Garden and handed Boston a humbling 28-point loss, a game that saw the Rockets rain down 19 threes and Kevin Durant lead the charge with 26 points. That early-season beatdown came just as the Celtics were starting to find their footing after an 0-3 start. But a lot has changed since then.
Fast forward to now, with both teams in the thick of the playoff hunt and carrying nearly identical records, it was Boston’s turn to deliver a statement - and they did just that with a convincing 114-93 win.
And they did it shorthanded.
No Jaylen Brown (left hamstring tightness, right knee soreness). No Sam Hauser (right thumb strain).
No problem. Joe Mazzulla rolled out a starting group featuring Derrick White, Baylor Scheierman, and Neemias Queta, with Luka Garza and two-way standout Ron Harper Jr. filling key roles.
Anfernee Simons and Chris Boucher were also out for personal reasons, thinning the bench even further.
But Boston didn’t flinch. They adjusted, leaned into their depth, and took control in the second half - especially in a third quarter that saw them knock down 7-of-14 from deep and ride a 14-point burst from White to blow the game wide open.
White was everywhere, finishing with 28 points and eight assists. Payton Pritchard, who’s embraced the Sixth Man role like it was tailor-made for him, added 27 and dished out seven dimes of his own. That’s back-to-back strong outings off the bench for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, who continues to be a stabilizing force when the Celtics need a spark.
Ron Harper Jr. made the most of his moment, too. The Rising Stars Challenger showed he’s more than just a two-way contract guy, knocking down 3-of-6 from deep, grabbing nine boards, handing out three assists, and even taking a few turns guarding Durant. He didn’t look out of place - he looked ready.
And speaking of boards, Boston dominated the glass. The Rockets came in with arguably the biggest starting five in the league and the NBA’s best offensive rebounding numbers to match.
Mazzulla responded by going double-big with Queta and Garza, and it paid off in a big way. The Celtics pulled down a season-high 65 rebounds, with Queta grabbing 19 - seven of those on the offensive end.
Boston turned those second chances into 27 points, outscoring Houston 27-15 in that category. That’s how you flip the script against a team that beat you at your own game the last time around.
The game also had a bit of spice, with former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka getting tossed before the fourth quarter. Emotions were high - and Boston matched that intensity with execution.
Now, the Celtics head back to TD Garden for a three-game homestand before All-Star Weekend. They’ll face the Miami Heat on Friday, host the Knicks on Super Bowl Sunday, and then take on the Bulls next Tuesday. With the roster getting healthier and the rotation showing serious depth, Boston looks like a team that not only remembers the early-season stumbles - but has learned from them.