Rockets defeat Celtics, 101-89

Posted: December 14, 2012 -- 10:45 p.m. CST.

HOUSTON, TX (Toyota Center) – It's not a surprise what happens when basketball teams limit their turnovers. The Rockets turned the ball over 12 times in the first half and trailed the Boston Celtics 45-43 at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets turned the ball over 5 times and outscored the Celtics 58-44 and earned a solid, solid 101-89 win over the Cs in front of an announced crowd of 15,679 fans.

"We had five turnovers in the second half," said Rockets' head coach Kevin McHale after the game. "And, for us, we just can't afford to turn the ball over. We just can't turn the ball over. When we turn the ball over, a lot of sketchy things start happening for us."

The Rockets (11-11) led the Celts 27-19 after the first quarter; but, a dismal second quarter (7 turnovers and 7 for 19, 36.8fg%) helped the Celtics outscore the Rockets 26-16 in the 2nd period and lead 45-43 at the half.

Chandler Parsons scored two free throws to start the scoring in the third quarter. James Harden added two more free throws before Patrick Patterson capped off the 6-0 mini-run with a shot jumper.

The Rockets made 9 of their first 11 field goals in the third quarter while turning the ball over just once.

"Well, the first and third, I thought we started out flat at the beginning of the game and in the third quarter, too," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers after the game. "We came out flat and with no energy; and, I felt that we never got back into the game."

Harden scored 10 points in the third quarter to lead the team in outscoring the Celtics 32-25 in the quarter and leading 75-70 heading into the fourth period.

The Celtics (12-10) pulled within five points twice in the fourth quarter; but, after a three-point basket from Boston's Paul Pierce, a huge three (with the shot clock winding down) by James Harden gave the Rockets a 91-83 lead with 4:43 left in the ball game.

The Rockets did not allow the Celtics to get closer than eight points the rest of the game as a 10-2 finishing run increased the lead to 16 as the Rockets cruised to win number 11 on the season.

Harden scored a game-high 21 points; but, he made only 6 of his 17 field goal attempts. Big man Greg Smith scored 20 points in 21 plus minutes.

"I was in the right spots at the right time," Smith said. "My teammates were looking for me and had confidence in me. So, I knew if they passed me the ball to me, the best thing I could do is finish it."

Smith's 20 points led an outstanding 42 points from the Rockets' reserves. Toney Douglas added 11 points (sixth straight double-digit game for Douglas). Carlos Delfino scored nine and Marcus Morris chipped in two points.

Chandler Parsons scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out a career-high eight assists.

CLICK HERE for The HRR's Rockets' write-ups.