It was a battle in Houston as Kyrie Irving led the Boston Celtics into the Toyota Center to face James Harden and the Houston Rockets.
Both team were coming off huge come from behind Christmas Day victories as the Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime and the Rockets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder.
However, on Thursday night Harden and the Rockets bested Irving and the Celtics with a 127-113 victory.
Harden led the way with 45 points and six assists, as his new teammate and former Duke Blue Devil Austin Rivers came off the bench to provide 10 points, four rebounds, and three assists.