NBA roundup: Amen Thompson's game winner lifts Rockets to thrilling win over Celtics

Following two recent victories over the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, the Rockets managed to overcome another formidable Eastern opponent. Despite relinquishing an early 11-point lead and facing a 12-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter, they rallied back to claim the win.

Dillon Brooks (29) was instrumental, scoring 36 points, while Thompson contributed a career-high 33 points along with 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and a crucial block in the closing moments of the game.

A pivotal three-pointer from Brooks sparked a 13-0 run for the Rockets, culminating in two baskets from Thompson that put Houston ahead 102-101.

For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown (28) led the scoring with 28 points, and Jayson Tatum (26) added 19 points, all of which came in the second half. However, Tatum's late efforts were insufficient to secure a win for Boston.

After several lead changes, the Celtics managed to tie the game at 112-112 with Tatum's layup with 5.3 seconds left. Nevertheless, Thompson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft, found an opening on an inbounds play and drove to score the decisive basket.

"That felt great," Thompson remarked. "That's my first game-winner. I feel like Kobe (Bryant)!"

In other games, the Cavaliers ended their first three-game losing streak of the season with a 110-91 victory at home against Detroit, while the Los Angeles Lakers, propelled by an outstanding performance from Anthony Davis (31), achieved their fourth consecutive win with a score of 112-107 against the Charlotte Hornets.

Davis delivered an impressive performance, scoring 42 points and grabbing 23 rebounds, as the Lakers built a lead of as much as 23 points during the game.

Davis set the pace early, amassing 21 points and 11 rebounds in the first quarter alone, hitting nine of his 12 field goal attempts.

"Teammates did their job setting me up," Davis stated. "It's the entire team, not just me. I think it's the way we've been playing, moving the basketball, playing for each other, not caring who scores as long as we score - things have just been able

LeBron James (40) contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, while Austin Reaves (26) added 17 points for the Lakers.

Miles Bridges (26) led the Hornets with 26 points, but Charlotte faced a setback when star guard LaMelo Ball (23) left the game in the first half due to an ankle injury.

In Miami, the Heat overcame recent controversies involving star Jimmy Butler (35) to secure a 125-119 victory over the Orlando Magic in double overtime.

Tyler Herro (25) excelled with 30 points and 12 assists, while Bam Adebayo (27) contributed 26 points, and six players from the Heat scored in double figures.

Earlier in the day, Butler, reportedly displeased about being informed he would come off the bench, left the morning shoot-around and was subsequently suspended by the team for the third time this month.

The New York Knicks decisively ended the Memphis Grizzlies' six-game winning streak with a commanding 143-106 victory at Madison Square Garden.

Mikal Bridges (28) led the Knicks with 28 points, as seven players scored in double figures, while New York effectively limited Memphis star Ja Morant (25) to just 10 points, marking their fourth consecutive win.

Karl-Anthony Towns (29) contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, who scored 143 points for the second consecutive game.

The Chicago Bulls managed to overcome a 33-point triple-double from Denver's NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic (29), defeating the Nuggets 129-121.

Zach LaVine (29) scored 21 points, and Nikola Vucevic (34) added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists for the Bulls, who successfully made 24 of 53 attempts from beyond the arc.

Denver held a one-point lead entering the fourth quarter, but Chicago began the period with a 13-0 scoring run, establishing control for the remainder of the game.Amen Thompson secured a dramatic victory for the Houston Rockets by driving for the game-winning basket with just 1.3 seconds remaining, leading to a hard-fought 114-112 win against the NBA champion Boston Celtics on Monday.

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