Westbrook scored a game-high 41 points and Covington grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds as the Rockets extended their winning streak to six games with a thrilling 111-110 overtime victory (box score) in Boston.
Harden struggled from the field with 21 points on 7-of-24 shooting (29.2%), and he had a crucial turnover late in regulation.
But the 2020 All-Star and former MVP came up clutch late in overtime with a steal and two free throws in the final 30 seconds, which were ultimately the difference in an intense and frantic finish.
Westbrook’s 41 points came on a 16-of-27 night (59.3%) from the field, extending his career-long streak of consecutive games with over 52% shooting accuracy to seven. He’s scored over 30 points in six of them.
Have yourself a game, @russwest44!
🏀 41pts
🏀 8reb
🏀 5ast
✔️ WIN pic.twitter.com/otoTALDhgi— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) March 1, 2020
Prior to these last seven games, the longest such streak by the former MVP over his first 12 NBA seasons was three games.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 32 points and 13 rebounds, though the defense of Covington and Tucker helped limit him to an inefficient 9-of-27 night (33.3%) from the field. The Celtics did not score a single point against Houston’s defense in the final 2:48 of overtime.
Brad Stevens: “I thought the right team won. Their physical presence is real.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) March 1, 2020
Covington and Tucker combined for six blocked shots and 29 rebounds on the front line, with six of Tucker’s 13 boards coming on offense.
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