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Kevin Garnett scored 22 points and Paul Pierce added 20 as Boston handed Houston its first loss since a 97-89 defeat to Utah on Jan. 27. The Rockets then put together the NBA’s second-longest winning streak, which ended 11 victories shy of the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, who won 33 in a row.
"Our names will be mentioned there with Hall of Fame people," said Houston point guard Rafer Alston. "We have something to tell our kids."
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Houston Rockets forward Shane Battier (C) dives for a loose ball as Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (L) and forward Leon Powe (R) look on in the first half of their NBA game in Houston March 18, 2008 |
It was only Houston's second loss in 28 games and its fourth since a 97-93 loss in Boston on Jan. 2, a game Tracy McGrady sat out with a knee injury. The Rockets also lost for the first time in 11 games since Yao Ming went out with a season-ending foot injury on Feb. 26.
The Rockets were finally doomed by poor shooting and mistakes that they overcame during their streak with hustle and solid defense.
Boston blanketed McGrady all night, holding Houston's remaining All-Star to eight points on 4-for-11 shooting. Other Rockets had routinely picked up the slack during the seven-week run whenever McGrady struggled, but the Celtics never let that happen.
The Rockets scored a season-low 34 points in the second half on 11-for-33 shooting.