[chokes on coffee] The Rockets lost ... how?!

That there is Marcus Smart drawing the second of two offensive fouls on James Harden in the final seven seconds of the Celtics’ 26-point comeback win over Houston on Thursday. And by “drawing the second of two offensive fouls on James Harden” I really mean “hopping into Harden’s shirt until the MVP front-runner gets annoyed and shoves him.” Smart, who is the biggest and boldest pest in the NBA, did well for himself and his team here. Man, what a way to finish a close game for Harden.

Boston’s strength is its defense, and defense led the comeback. Houston shot just 25 percent in the second half, with Harden going 3-of-17 with five turnovers. Boston got just enough offense to win, with huge buckets from Jayson Tatum and Al Horford in those closing seconds.

The Rockets have now lost four straight, while Boston is back up three games in East. These teams meet again in Harden’s nightmares.

DET 89, ORL 102
HOU 98, BOS 99
MIN 96, MIL 102
NYK 107, SAS 119
PHI 110, POR 114

Oh my Gods, Mario Hezonja. Thank you for this. Sincerely, thank you.

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Jeff Teague is out a couple of weeks. Tyus Jones, hello.

James Harden off the shot clock! (It didn’t count.)

Get ready for WNBA free agency with Howard Megdal’s rankings.

How LeBron has stayed this good for this long.

No rest for the weary: The Rockets visit the Wizards for a 7 p.m. ET game on NBA TV on Friday. NBA TV also has Sixers-Nuggets at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday. That’s all of the national TV for this weekend.

Be excellent to each other.