NBA: The Celtics beat the Rockets on the road to finally give Udoka his first win

The Celtics win their first of the year and their new head coach wins for the first time Houston on Sunday night.

By Hassan Green

Houston, Texas - The Celtics came away with a great road win over the Rockets 107-97, for their first win of the season and the first victory for their new head coach Ime Udoka.

The Celtics got their first win of the new season at Houston.
The Celtics got their first win of the new season at Houston.  © Collage: 123RF/charnsitr & moovstock

It was third time lucky for the former small forward, who came to Boston from the San Antonio Spurs after spending seven years there as an assistant coach, under legendary basketball mind, Gregg Popovich.

The Celtics had the difficult task of taking on this past draft’s second overall pick, Jalen Green, the future franchise player of the Rockets.

Although they had to fight back from an early deficit, they managed to keep themselves in the game with some strong defense.

NBA Cup: Giannis shines as Bucks steal Oklahoma's thunder in dominant second half
NBA NBA Cup: Giannis shines as Bucks steal Oklahoma's thunder in dominant second half

Boston eventually set the tone through the second and third quarters to build a lead, leaving the Rockets having to play catch-up, but coming up short to the Celtics when time ran out.

The player spotlight

Jayson Tatum scored 31 in Boston's first win of the season.
Jayson Tatum scored 31 in Boston's first win of the season.  © IMAGO/ZUMA Wire

Celtics superstar forward Jayson Tatum has been leading the way for Boston, despite the team getting win number one in their first three tries.

Ever since coming into the league, he’s been a real scoring machine, often finishing games as his team’s leading scorer.

In this one, Tatum was in the zone during the first half, going into the break with 20 points already.

NBA to return to China after six years with pre-season games
NBA NBA to return to China after six years with pre-season games

He was able to dial it back a little bit, letting some of his teammates carry some of the offensive weight.

Tatum went 12-for-24 shooting, grabbing 31 points and nine rebounds.

The big picture

Even though Boston is at the bottom of their division, they can go nowhere but up as the season moves on.
Even though Boston is at the bottom of their division, they can go nowhere but up as the season moves on.  © IMAGO/Agencia EFE

The Celtics have their first win of the season under a new head coach, showing promise that they can improve as the season rolls on.

Right now, they’re in last place in the Atlantic Division of the NBA’s Eastern Conference, but with the way things are going for the beleaguered Brooklyn Nets, Boston could creep upward at least one spot and take off from there.

On Monday, the Celtics are still on the road to take on the Charlotte Hornets while the Rockets head to Dallas on Tuesday, to face the Mavericks.

Cover photo: Collage: 123RF/charnsitr & moovstock

More on NBA: