Rockets at Celtics final score: Houston holds on 104-92

Dwight Howard scored 32 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out two assists and blocked a shot, leading the Houston Rockets to a 104-92 victory over the Boston Celtics at the T.D. Garden in Boston, Massachusetts Monday night.

After the Celtics built an eight-point lead at the end of the opening quarter, the Rockets stormed back, outscoring the Celtics 65-38 over the second and third quarters and cruised to victory.

The story of the game was Howard. He looked like the Howard of old, easily beating whatever the Celtics threw at him. Whether it was the Celtics’ smaller starting big men Kris Humphries and Jared Sullinger, his old buddy from Orlando, Brandon Bass, or rookie Kelly Olynyk (and even Vitor Faverani for four minutes!), Howard could not be stopped. He shot 11-of-17 from the field and got to the free throw line 18 times, knocking down 10.

However, it wasn’t all Howard. He had plenty of help from his supporting cast.

Although it was a rough night for James Harden 16 points on six-of-18 shooting), the rest of the Rockets’ starters stepped up. Jeremy Lin had 16 points, nine assists and three steals, Chandler Parsons scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists and Terrence Jones added 12 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

The Celtics were led by Avery Bradley, who had 24 points and five rebounds. Jeryd Bayless scored 17 points and Bass chipped in 14 points and seven boards.

The win improves the Rockets to 25-14 while the Celtics fall to 13-26. This was the Celtics’ ninth straight loss.