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Mon Jan 31, 2005 · 8:00 PM
Houston RocketsRockets
95
away
Chemistry Cold
Boston CelticsCeltics
103
home
Chemistry Hot

Box Score

TEAM Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FINAL
Houston RocketsRockets 31 22 18 24 95
Boston CelticsCeltics 23 25 26 29 103

After Action Report

In Boston, the Celtics held off the Rockets 103-95. The Rockets couldn't capitalize even when shots wouldn't fall for the Celtics. The Celtics looked unstoppable — pure Buzzsaw mode; Celtics' Lockdown identity stifled the opposing offense. The Celtics locker room is humming, and it showed. Celtics' rotation plan looked deliberate, and the right guys made the most of their roles. Style points be damned.

What tipped it

  • Celtics · Buzzsaw An 8+ game winning streak — they cannot be stopped (until the league catches up).
  • Celtics · Tight-Knit Locker-room chemistry is humming — extra trust on every possession.
  • Rockets · Crashing An 8+ game losing skid — heads are down, both ends suffer.
  • Rockets · Locker-Room Rift Tension in the locker room — poor ball movement and streaky play.