Durant scores 26, Rockets rout Celtics 128-101

BOSTON AP Kevin Durant scored points in three quarters before resting the fourth Amen Thompson added points and nine rebounds and the Houston Rockets beat the Boston Celtics - on Saturday night Alperen Sengun had points rebounds and nine assists for the Rockets Jabari Smith Jr and Josh Okogie each scored as Houston won its third straight following an - start to the season and ended Boston s three-game win streak Baylor Scheierman led Boston with points Payton Pritchard had points Josh Minott finished with points and six rebounds and Jaylen Brown had points for Boston sitting out the fourth one night after leading the Celtics with points in a - win at Philadelphia on Friday night The Celtics were out of synch throughout the night and could not keep up with Durant and the well-rested Rockets who shot percent in the first half and led - at halftime The Rockets outrebounded the Celtics - In addition to making of from the floor Durant was for from the foul line hitting three straight on a string of technical fouls early in the third quarter as Boston s frustrations boiled over Coach Joe Mazzula received the first technical with left in the period followed by a -second violation and then a flopping call on Boston s Chris Boucher as Thompson put back a rebound Durant added a free throw on the flopping technical and Houston led - with left in the third The Rockets led - by the end of the third quarter and Boston fans started filing out of the arena as reserves for both teams finished out the final quarter Durant scored in the first period and had points by halftime Up next Rockets Host Dallas on Monday night Celtics Host Utah on Monday night AP NBA https apnews com NBA