Motiejunas Scores 26, Rockets Top Celtics For 4th Win In Row

Donatas Motiejunas scored 10 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Houston Rockets over the Boston Celtics 93-87 Friday night for their fourth straight win.

Motiejunas also had 12 rebounds as the Rockets improved to 17-7 on the road, best in the Western Conference.

Houston led by 18 at halftime. The Celtics held the Rockets to 4-for-20 shooting in the third quarter, and a 6-0 run capped by Brandon Bass' two free throws cut the lead to 82-79 in the fourth.

Motiejunas scored the next four points for the Rockets. He dunked off a miss by James Harden, then convtered an alley-oop pass from Harden.

Terrance Smith had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who have won three in a row while star Dwight Howard recuperates from a sprained ankle.

Harden, the NBA's leading scorer, had 14 points on 4-for-21 shooting. Corey Brewer scored 10 for Houston.

Marcus Thornton and Bass each had 17 for the Celtics. Tayshaun Prince had 13 points and Avery Bradley added 10.

TIP-INS

Rockets: The team has not put a timetable on Howard's return. "We won't have Dwight for a while, I'm sure, so we're going to just go out there and play," coach Kevin McHale said. ... The game was played 21 years to the day the Celtics retired McHale's number. McHale on his return to snowy Boston: "The streets get smaller, baby, I'll tell you that." ... Harden had a four-point play in the first quarter, knocking down a 3-pointer over Marcus Smart and hitting the subsequent foul shot.

Celtics: Fell to 4-20 against teams .500 or better ... Smart has improved his 3-point shooting each month. He shot the 3 at a 43 percent clip in January.

UP NEXT

Rockets: At Detroit on Saturday.

Celtics: Host Miami on Sunday.