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Rockets beat Celtics for 15th straight win, team's longest streak in 10 years

Credit: Erik Williams, USA TODAY Sports
James Harden and Kyrie Irving

James Harden, Chris Paul and the Houston Rockets needed some late dramatics to extend the franchise's longest win streak in a decade.

The Rockets used a late surge in the final four minutes to beat the Boston Celtics 123-120 for their 15th consecutive win, the team's longest run since they won 22 straight in 2008.

Houston also had a 14-game streak earlier this season from Nov. 16 to Dec. 18.

Terry Rozier hit a three-pointer to put the Celtics up 113-107 with 4:01 left. The Rockets answered with a P.J. Tucker three-pointer and Harden layup, before Al Horford's short hook put Boston ahead 115-112.

Trevor Ariza tied it with a three-pointer for the Rockets, then stole a bad Kyrie Irving pass on the ensuing inbound play and scored to put Houston up 117-115.

Houston then held on in the final minute, hitting 6-of-8 free throws in the last 15 seconds. Marcus Smart's desperation three-pointer at the buzzer — after hauling in a full-court pass, turning and firing in about two seconds — stunningly drew iron but did not fall.

Eric Gordon scored a game-high 29 points off the bench for the Rockets, including 7-of-11 from three-point range. Harden scored 26 but struggled from the floor, shooting 6-of-18 overall and 3-of-12 from long range. Ariza added 21, and Paul had 15.

Marcus Morris had 21 to lead a Boston bench that scored 67 points. Smart, Rozier and Greg Monroe also reached double figures for the second unit. Irving scored 18 points, but like Harden, he struggled with his shot finished 6-of-17 from the floor.

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