Celtics surge past Rockets
Boston negates 26-point deficit behind defense
BOSTON — Marcus Smart helped complete a furious comeback for Boston on two plays he never touched the ball.
Smartdrewanoffensivefoul on James Harden with 7.3 seconds left, getting the ball back in time for Al Horford to sink a hook shot with 3.7 seconds left, and the Celtics rallied from a 26-point deficit to beat Houston 99-98 on Thursday.
“It just shows the value of Marcus Smart to our group and what he does for our team. It all started with him in the second half,” Horford said. “It was just a domino effect. That’s how special he is.”
After Horford’s shot, Smart did it again when he drew another foul on Harden, and the Rockets ran out of time.
Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and Jayson Tatum 19 for the Celtics, who held Houston to nine field goals in the second half while tying the NBA’S largest comeback this season.
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At Milwaukee, Eric Bledsoe scored 26 points and
Bucks 102, Timberwolves 96—
Giannis Antetokounmpo 22 for Milwaukee, which overcame a 20-point deficit and took its first lead with 2:25 left. Karl-anthony Towns scored 22 points for Minnesota, which had won five straight.
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At San Antonio, Lamarcus Aldridge had 25 points for San Antonio, which shot 51 percent and got double-figure scoring from all of its starters while improving to 17-2 at home with its third straight win overall. Kawhi Leonard (rest) sat out for
Spurs 119, Knicks 107 —
the Spurs.
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At Portland, Ore., fillin starter Shabazz Napier scored 15 of his season-high 23 points in the fourth quarter for Portland, which overcame an 18-point third-quarter deficit. C.J. Mccollum led all scorers with 34 points for the Blazers.
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At Orlando, Fla., Elfrid Payton had 19 points, eight assists and eight rebounds for Orlando, which halted a nine-game slide. Andre Drummond had 17 points and 18 rebounds for Detroit, which had won five of six.
Trail Blazers 114, 76ers 110 — Magic 102, Pistons 89 —