The Rockets were not going to beat the Celtics with marksmanship from the 3-point line, though James Harden did nail a dagger in the final minute.
They were not going to win from the free throw line, though Harden made all 18 of his attempts to tie Kevin Martin for the most without a miss in Rockets history.
They were not even able to win with the ball in Harden's hands and the Celtics another tick of the clock from sending him back to the line to ice it.
One way or another, the Rockets were going to have to get stops.