HOUSTON — This one started from the ashes of poor shooting and worse decisions. But Monday night the Celtics’ emerging reputation as one of the finest ball-hawking teams in the NBA counted for more. The offense drew much of its juice off an eye-popping 22 Houston turnovers, and the Celtics had their third straight win — including their second straight against a Western Conference power.
Not that tonight’s 111-95 win over Houston found the Rockets in particularly good form. The loss was Houston’s fourth straight. Coach Kevin McHale, who has been calling his team out for bad defense all season, had supplied a fresh rip prior to the game.