Celtics, 53-42 (half)
The Celtics lost a little of their fire here in the second quarter.
Up by 18 points around the 10-minute mark, Doc Rivers elected to play without any of the Big Three. Seeing a chance to get back into the game, the Rockets inserted Yao Ming back into the lineup.
The Rockets cut just two points off the lead in 2 ½ minutes before Rivers inserted Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen back into the lineup.
Garnett and Allen weren’t an instant fix, as the Rockets closed the gap to 40-29 with 5:23 left in the half. This time, it was the Celtics who were forced to call time.
The Rockets closed the gap to seven near the end of the quarter before two Scot Pollard lay-ups put the lead back to 11.
Paul Pierce has 14 points and five rebounds. Bonzi Wells had 11 points in the second quarter for Houston.
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