Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets player stats and box score (Jan. 3) | 2024-25 NBA season

The Boston Celtics relied on a strong opening and closing effort to dominate the Houston Rockets 109-86 on Friday. The victory marked the Celtics' third consecutive win, improving their record to 26-9 and solidifying their hold on the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference.

For the Rockets, the loss dropped them to 22-12, keeping them in third place in the Western Conference. However, it compounded the disappointment of losing Jabari Smith Jr., who sustained an injury during the pregame shootaround.

Derrick White led the Celtics with a team-high 23 points in the absence of Jaylen Brown. Jayson Tatum delivered a well-rounded performance, tallying 20 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Payton Pritchard contributed 20 points, including four 3-pointers.

Jrue Holiday, who jumpstarted Boston with 12 points in the first quarter, finished with 14 points overall. Luke Kornet added nine points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Jalen Green was the top scorer for Houston, recording 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting.

Below are the game stats:

Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets player stats

Boston Celtics player stats

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
Jayson Tatum	32:57	20	6	5	7	19	36.8	4	10	40.0	2	2	100	1	5	1	0	3	1	11
Sam Hauser	19:24	0	3	0	0	1	0.0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	3	1	0	0	0	2
Kristaps Porziņģis	27:36	11	5	2	3	8	37.5	2	3	66.7	3	4	75.0	1	4	0	2	1	3	10
Derrick White	34:46	23	4	2	8	16	50.0	6	12	50.0	1	2	50.0	2	2	0	1	3	0	27
Jrue Holiday	27:46	14	4	3	5	9	55.6	2	5	40.0	2	2	100	0	4	1	1	2	0	16
Payton Pritchard	32:14	20	4	2	8	10	80.0	4	6	66.7	0	0	0.0	1	3	0	1	0	1	21
Luke Kornet	23:31	9	10	4	4	7	57.1	0	0	0.0	1	4	25.0	6	4	1	1	1	2	23
Jordan Walsh	08:37	0	2	0	0	2	0.0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	2	0	0	2	0	-2
Neemias Queta	19:31	5	2	1	2	3	66.7	0	0	0.0	1	2	50.0	1	1	0	0	1	4	1
Drew Peterson	04:53	5	1	1	2	2	100	1	1	100	0	0	0.0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2
Xavier Tillman	04:53	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	1	1	0	2
Jaden Springer	03:52	2	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	2	2	100	0	0	1	0	0	2	2
TOTALS		109	53	20	39	77	50.6	19	39	48.7	12	18	66.7	12	29	6	7	14	13	-

Houston Rockets player stats

PLAYER	MIN	PTS	REB	AST	FGM	FGA	FG%	3PM	3PA	3P%	FTM	FTA	FT%	OREB	DREB	STL	BLK	TO	PF	=+/-
Dillon Brooks	30:08	10	2	0	4	13	30.8	2	6	33.3	0	0	0.0	1	1	1	0	0	5	-10
Jeff Green	28:42	7	5	0	2	3	66.7	1	2	50.0	2	2	100	0	5	1	0	1	3	-16
Alperen Sengun	28:45	14	7	3	6	15	40.0	0	1	0.0	2	2	100	2	5	1	1	4	4	-28
Jalen Green	35:02	27	3	1	10	21	47.6	5	13	38.5	2	2	100	0	3	0	2	1	3	-24
Fred VanVleet	30:25	8	1	3	3	7	42.9	1	3	33.3	1	1	100	0	1	0	0	1	3	-15
Cam Whitmore	33:49	11	6	1	4	17	23.5	1	9	11.1	2	2	100	1	5	1	0	1	0	-12
Steven Adams	06:51	6	4	1	2	4	50.0	0	0	0.0	2	2	100	4	0	0	0	0	0	8
Jae'Sean Tate	17:55	0	4	0	0	1	0.0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	3	1	0	1	0	2	-7
Aaron Holiday	18:37	0	3	0	0	4	0.0	0	1	0.0	0	0	0.0	2	1	1	0	2	1	-7
Jock Landale	04:53	3	2	0	1	3	33.3	0	0	0.0	1	1	100	1	1	0	0	0	0	-2
Reed Sheppard	04:53	0	0	0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	0.0	0	0	1	0	1	0	-2
TOTALS		86	47	9	32	88	36.4	10	36	27.8	12	12	100	14	23	6	4	11	21	-

Boston Celtics vs Houston Rockets: Game recap

A clash between two top teams from their respective conferences took place Friday as the Houston Rockets hosted the Boston Celtics. The Rockets entered the game as the No. 3 team in the Western Conference, while the Celtics held the No. 2 spot in the East.

The Rockets faced a setback even before tip-off, with Jabari Smith Jr. fracturing his left hand during shootaround. He is expected to be sidelined for four to eight weeks.

Smith has been a key contributor for Houston this season, averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in nearly 31 minutes per game.

Jrue Holiday scored 12 points in the opening quarter, helping the Celtics establish a 37-31 lead while shooting an impressive 7-of-12 from 3-point range.

The Celtics maintained their momentum in the second quarter, but the Rockets began to find their rhythm. By halftime, Boston held a 65-56 advantage.

Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun each tallied 14 points for Houston in the first half.

Holiday was held scoreless in the second quarter, but Payton Pritchard stepped up with 14 points at the break. Jayson Tatum added 13 points while Derrick White contributed 12 for the Celtics.

The third quarter saw both teams struggling offensively, with neither side finding rhythm. Boston edged out Houston in scoring, 17-16.

In the final quarter, the Celtics showcased their championship-level defense, holding the Rockets to a mere 14 points while adding 27 of their own to seal the victory.