The Celtics had no business mounting a 26-point comeback against one of the two most potent offenses the NBA has to offer. But here Boston is, reigning victorious with a 98-97 comeback win over the Houston Rockets.
8 reasons the Celtics’ 26-point comeback win over the Rockets was so improbable
Well, really seven. Either way, we’re still stunned.
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
You can blame Houston’s collapse or Boston’s rally on whatever you want, but the Celtics were far from favored to win trailing by 26 points on Thursday night. Here are a few facts that prove just how improbable Boston’s win was:
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1. Over the past 20 seasons, the Rockets were 179-0 when leading by at least 25 points:
That’s according to ESPN Stats & Info. That was until they ran into Boston.
2. James Harden shot just 3-of-17 in the second half:
He normally hovers around the 41 percent mark in the final two periods, according to NBA.com’s stats page.
3. The Rockets made only nine second-half field goals.
They shot 9-of-36 as a team after making 21 shots in the first half. And speaking of team, both Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson went without shot attempts in the second half. Even Gerald Green — in his first game as a Rocket — got more attempts (1) than those two starters combined.
4. Harden was called for back-to-back offensive fouls on the final two possessions of the game against the same player:
TNT capture
Hit up that premium Basketball-Reference x Elias Sports Bureau membership to see if that’s ever happened in a game.
5. There were only two referees instead of the usual three.
That’s because referee Mark Lindsay (back spasms) suffered a pregame injury. Instead, the game was managed by only two officials: Tony Brothers and Gediminas Petraitis. The players — Harden in particular — were very confused by this one:
6. Boston’s best perimeter defender (arguably) was injured.
The usually durable and versatile Jaylen Brown did not play while nursing a minor knee injury. He is one of Boston’s best perimeter defenders but was not available while the Celtics held the Rockets to under 100 points and only 36 in the second half.
7. Kyrie Irving didn’t get the last shot
In a season where Kyrie has played fourth-quarter hero for the Celtics, Al Horford took the mantle on the go-ahead bucket with four seconds left in the fourth quarter:
As our Paul Flannery reported, the play was supposed to be for Irving, but Horford broke it off to shoot instead. How’s that for a role reversal?
8. The Rockets are still unstoppable when Chris Paul suits up.
They’re 15-1 when he suits up, in fact. We knew this before the game, so we’re only adding this stat to show Paul’s face when the Rockets fully collapsed:
The good news for the Rockets is that Paul’s injury is minor and he could return Friday against the Wizards. Turns out he’s important!
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