Amen Thompson’s game-winning drive with 1.3 seconds left lifted the Houston Rockets to a 114-112 win over the Boston Celtics on Monday (Tuesday Manila time), capping a dramatic comeback for the Rockets.
The victory, Houston’s second consecutive win over an Eastern Conference powerhouse, came after the Rockets blew an early 11-point lead, only to watch the Celtics surge ahead by 12 in the fourth quarter.
Dillon Brooks led the Rockets with 36 points, while Thompson posted a career-high 33 points to go along with 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a crucial late block.
In other NBA action, the Cleveland Cavaliers ended their first three-game losing streak of the season with a 110-91 win over Detroit, while the Los Angeles Lakers won their fourth consecutive game, 112-107, over the Charlotte Hornets.
Anthony Davis starred for the Lakers with 42 points and 23 rebounds. Los Angeles led by as many as 23 points in the win, with Davis dominating early, scoring 21 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the first quarter alone.
LeBron James contributed 22 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, while Austin Reaves added 17 points.
In Miami, the Heat overcame a tumultuous day involving star Jimmy Butler to defeat the Orlando Magic 125-119 in double overtime. Tyler Herro led Miami with 30 points and 12 assists, while Bam Adebayo added 26 points.
Butler, who reportedly disagreed with his role off the bench, skipped the morning shootaround and was suspended for the third time in the month.
The New York Knicks snapped the Memphis Grizzlies’ six-game win streak with a dominant 143-106 victory at Madison Square Garden. Mikal Bridges scored 28 points, leading seven Knicks players in double figures. New York limited Memphis star Ja Morant to just 10 points.
The Chicago Bulls held off a triple-double from Denver’s Nikola Jokic to secure a 129-121 win over the Nuggets. Zach LaVine contributed 21 points for Chicago, while Nikola Vucevic added 20 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.