Alperen Şengün Posts 26 Points and 10 Assists as Rockets Beat Celtics 109-93 to Take First in the West

Alperen Şengün had 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and the Houston Rockets beat the Boston Celtics 109-93 on Monday night at Toyota Center.

The Rockets (7-1) moved into first place in the Western Conference after the previously unbeaten Memphis Grizzlies (6-1) lost to New Orleans in overtime, according to the Associated Press. It is Houston’s best start since the 2014-15 season. Boston (5-2) lost for the first time since its season opener at Detroit, ending a five-game winning streak.

Celtics vs. Rockets: Houston never trailed

The game was tied 29-29 after the first quarter, and Houston led 57-50 at halftime. The Rockets never trailed, per the AP, and pulled away by winning each of the last three quarters.

The difference was in the paint and in transition. Houston outscored Boston 50-34 inside and 18-2 on fast breaks, and shot 54.4% from the field to Boston’s 38.6%, according to the box score. The Rockets had 34 assists on 43 baskets.

Alperen Şengün’s efficient night

Şengün made 12 of his 15 shots in 37 minutes and finished a game-best plus-21, according to the Celtics’ recap. Along with his 26 points and 10 assists, he had two steals and two blocks.

Boston Celtics vs. Houston Rockets match player stats

Rockets - Alperen Şengün: 26 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds - Jabari Smith Jr.: 14 points - Amen Thompson: 14 points - Tari Eason: 13 points - Kevin Durant: 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting - Marcus Smart: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Celtics - Jayson Tatum: 19 points (5 of 16, 1 of 7 from 3), 9 assists, 6 rebounds - Neemias Queta: 16 points - Luka Garza: 14 points with four 3-pointers off the bench

Marcus Smart vs. his old team

Former Celtic Marcus Smart frequently flustered Boston, the AP reported. The Celtics’ own recap described how he took over early in the fourth quarter with Houston up seven: he grabbed an offensive rebound and fed Şengün for a putback, then, after missing his first five 3-point attempts, hit back-to-back 3s to push the lead to 11. The margin grew to 18 from there.

Fred VanVleet added nine assists for Houston. For Boston, Tatum went 8 of 8 at the line, and his nine assists extended a career-best streak to eight straight games with at least six, per the team’s recap.

Who sat

Boston’s Paul George rested after scoring 17 points in 33 minutes in Sunday’s 108-97 win at Orlando. Houston center Clint Capela missed the game with a right ankle sprain.

What’s next

When do the Rockets play next? Houston hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

When do the Celtics play next? Boston hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.

Are the Rockets first in the West? Yes. At 7-1, Houston moved past Memphis (6-1) after Monday’s games.