The Celtics (33-18) delivered their most impressive win of the season Wednesday night in Houston, dismantling the Rockets 114-93 in a game that was never as close as the final score suggested. On the second night of a back-to-back, without Jaylen Brown or Sam Hauser, and with the roster still settling after Tuesday’s Nikola Vucevic trade, Boston walked into Toyota Center and looked like the more prepared, more physical, and more connected team from start to finish.

What made the win stand out wasn’t just the margin - it was how comfortably the Celtics handled adversity.

Against a Rockets team (31-18) that handed them their worst loss of the season back on November 1, Boston flipped the script entirely, dominating the glass, controlling the pace, and turning a sluggish start into a statement performance that underscored just how deep and adaptable this group has become.

Joe Mazzulla surprised everyone with his starting lineup, rolling out both Neemias Queta and Luka Garza against one of the league’s best rebounding teams.

The move paid off immediately.

Boston crushed Houston 65-45 on the glass, taking away one of the Rockets’ biggest strengths and turning missed shots into second chances all night.

Queta was the centerpiece, finishing with 19 rebounds and 5 blocks to go along with 10 points.

His presence completely changed the interior, giving Boston control of the paint and allowing the guards to play aggressively on the perimeter without worrying about what was happening behind them.

In a game that didn’t feature Boston’s usual offensive hierarchy, Derrick White stepped seamlessly into the lead role.

He finished with 28 points and 8 assists - but more importantly, he dictated everything the Celtics wanted to do offensively.

White consistently punished Houston’s breakdowns, kept the ball moving, and made sure the Celtics never lost their rhythm - even during the ugly early stretches.

This was another example of why his impact goes far beyond scoring totals, especially on nights when Boston is short-handed.

Pritchard, once again, showed why he’s one of the most reliable pieces on the roster.

Coming off the bench, he poured in 27 points and 7 assists, providing instant offense and keeping pressure on Houston whenever the Rockets tried to make a push.

Whether he’s starting, closing, or anchoring the second unit, Pritchard has become the Celtics’ release valve - the guy who stabilizes things when rotations change or bodies are missing.

Wednesday was another reminder that his role flexibility is a real weapon.

With Brown out and the rotation thinned, the Celtics needed someone to soak up minutes and stay solid.

Ron Harper Jr. did more than that.

Making his first career start, Harper logged 33 minutes and finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds, both career highs.

He defended, rebounded, and stayed within the flow of the offense, giving Boston exactly what it needed from a depth piece on a night where mistakes could have piled up.

Between trade rumors, a roster in flux, and a tough scheduling spot, there were plenty of reasons for this game to go sideways. Instead, it became a statement.

Boston didn’t let the Nikola Vucevic deal, the upcoming deadline, or the back-to-back factor creep into its focus.

Mazzulla pushed the right buttons, the effort never wavered, and the Celtics looked like a team comfortable handling chaos.

At 33-18, this wasn’t just a win.

It was proof of how sturdy Boston’s foundation has become, even when the circumstances aren’t ideal.

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.