Demonstrating why it owns the NBA's best record, Boston followed a sensational comeback at the expense of defending champ San Antonio on Monday by crushing the Rockets 94-74 in a showdown between conference leaders.
It was actually a close and interesting game at intermission, with the teams deadlocked at 40-all. And then, Celtics clamped down on defense and outscored the Rockets 54-34 after the break for a win that improved their record to 54-13 and ended Houston's victory run at 22 – the second longest in league history.
Kevin Garnett had 22 points and 11 rebounds while Paul Pierce scored 20. But the big offensive boost came from Leon Powe, who came off the bench to contribute 21.
It was on defense, however, that Boston made its mark. The Celtics never allowed Houston's Tracy McGrady a clean look at the basket, and he ended up with eight points on 4 of 11 shooting.
I've been among those who have doubted the Celtics, wondering whether they would be all that if they played in the West. But Boston has addressed those doubts where it matters most – on the court.
As in a 22-4 record against the West, and posting back-to-back road victories on successive nights the likes of San Antonio and Houston, with Dallas and New Orleans the next stop on their challenging tour.
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