Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) pulls down a defensive rebound against Boston Celtics center Tyler Zeller (44) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) - James Harden scored 32 points, including Houston's final eight, and the Rockets snapped the Boston Celtics' 14-game home winning streak with a 102-98 victory on Friday night.
Michael Beasley added 18 points and eight rebounds, and Dwight Howard finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds for Houston, which has won three straight - all on the road.
The Rockets led by as many as 11 in the third quarter, before seeing that cushion cut to two points in the fourth.
Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 30 points, but had six turnovers. Jared Sullinger added 24 points and 12 rebounds.
Boston struggled from the field all night, shooting just 37 percent and committing 15 turnovers. The Celtics were also outscored 60-46 in the paint in their first home loss since Jan. 6.
Boston coach Brad Stevens made an adjustment late in the third quarter, inserting rookie Terry Rozier into the lineup. Rozier started the fourth quarter and was active, knocking down an early 3-pointer handing out a trio of assists before heading to the bench with about four minutes to play.
It helped lessen the damage done by Beasley, who scored 10 of Houston's first 12 points of the quarter.
The Rockets continued to be aggressive, and a free throw by Harden gave the Rockets a 97-91 lead with 2:33 remaining.
It stayed that way when a missed step-back jumper by Harden led to an inadvertent whistle during a scramble for the rebound at the 1:11 mark.
An ensuing jumpball between Howard and Sullinger was controlled by Houston, and Harden knocked down a 19-footer with less than a minute left that got the lead back to eight.
Both teams were flat offensively in the early going. But Houston cobbled together a 13-4 run late in the first half and led by three at the break.
TIP-INS
Rockets: Have scored 100 or more points in 45 of the 54 games under interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Celtics: Are 6-21 when trailing entering the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Houston: at Charlotte on Saturday.
Boston: at Indiana on Tuesday.
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) goes to the hoop past Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) blocks the shot of Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) goes to the hoop past Houston Rockets guard James Harden as Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) and Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) watch in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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Houston Rockets head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, right, talks with forward Josh Smith at the bench in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens reacts on the sidelines in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) misses as he goes up for a dunk past Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
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Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas dribbles by Houston Rockets forward Donatas Motiejunas (20) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press
Houston Rockets forwards Michael Beasley (8) and Sam Dekker (7) fight for a rebound against Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, March 11, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
The Associated Press