Celtics-Rockets Notebook: Kristaps Porzingis talks team meeting, Luke Kornet dominates, and weird technical fouls

HOUSTON — The Celtics, as we know them, just might be back. They defeated the Rockets in resounding fashion on Friday coming away with a 109-86 victory to improve to 26-9 on the year.

Derrick White led the way with 23 points (on 6-12 shooting from beyond the arc). Jayson Tatum put together another nice all-around performance with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Kristaps Porzingis returned from a four-game absence to chip in 11 points, and Payton Pritchard exploded for 20 points on 8-10 shooting off the bench.

The win marked the Celtics’ third straight — and second consecutive to open up a challenging four-game road trip that next features stops in Oklahoma City and Denver.

Here are five observations from Houston.

Kristaps Porzingis revealed a pre-road trip team meeting — and the Celtics defense bounced back

December was far from the Celtics’ best month; they amassed a mediocre 8-6 record, dropping home games against the Bulls, Grizzlies, Pacers, and 76ers.

So, before they embarked on a four-game road trip that featured three of the best teams in the league — in addition to the 2023 NBA champions — the Celtics met to discuss where things were at, and where things could improve.

“We had a good meeting before this trip, just looking-in-the-mirror type of meeting, see where we can improve and do better,” Porzingis said. “Because teams are obviously coming for us, and some of them are playing their best basketball against us.”

Porzingis said some of what they discussed seemingly panned out in the second half — though he noted he wouldn’t share the exact adjustments the team made.

“So, [there’s] some small adjustments we want to make, and try to keep improving as a team, and keep playing the same way,” he said. “Minnesota was a tough game, but we came out with a win, and tonight I felt like the second half, stuff was clicking for us.”

In the most simple terms, the early returns look positive; in the second half of Friday’s win, the Celtics held the Rockets to just 30 points on 26.3% shooting, punctuating one of their best defensive performances of the year. They also outscored Houston in all four quarters, and held the Rockets to just 16 and 14 points, respectively, in the third and fourth quarters.

Joe Mazzulla liked how the Celtics adjusted to the Rockets’ early physicality.

“I thought they [Houston] got the better of us to start the game from a physical standpoint, and then I thought they did a great job responding on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla said.

“I thought we were physical at the point of attack. We had great ball pressure. Our bigs gave us great rim protection.”

Luke Kornet shines in extended opportunity — but he doesn’t really care

Luke Kornet was instrumental in the win, effectively guarding Alperen Sengun, grabbing 10 rebounds (six offensive), and scoring 9 points in 23 minutes.

Mazzulla brought up Kornet’s contributions unprompted in his post-game press conference.

“Luke [Kornet] was fantastic on both ends of the floor,” he said. “His rim protection vs. Sengun and then his offensive rebounding.”

But for Kornet, it’s just another day in the office. He’s not worried about his fluctuating playing time and seems perfectly content either way, so long as he is helping the team win.

“Honestly, I feel like at this point, I feel pretty removed [from worrying about minutes],” said Kornet. “I’m here to just do my job well, and help our team win, and just evaluate myself based on that. The context of what I need to do to keep myself prepared for that might change, but I feel like when that’s the core motivation, it really kind of takes the worrying, and the concern, and kind of wasted mental and emotional energy of like, ‘alright, what’s it exactly going to look like?’ instead of just trying to do the best you can of what you need to do to prepare yourself that day.”

Ime Udoka is not surprised the Celtics won the championship

A visit to Houston meant a reunion with Ime Udoka who coached the Celtics in 2021-22 en route to a Finals appearance. They came up short falling to the Warriors in six games, but players have routinely expressed their gratitude for Udoka’s contributions that season.

Before the game, the now-Rockets head coach was asked about the Celtics winning the championship

“Happy for them for sure, and not surprised,” said Udoka. “It was coming, regardless. Taking the steps they had before I got there, and then the year when I was there, falling short that year, I know it fueled everyone to get back.”

Tatum also reflected on the impact of the Udoka tenure: “That one year was special.”

“I would venture to say I’ve been very fortunate with the organization that I’ve been with, with the teammates that I’ve had,” Tatum said. “I’ve had three of the best coaches I could have possibly had.”

Jaylen Brown misses another game with injury, but seems close to return

Brown hurt his shoulder in the third quarter of Tuesday’s New Year’s Eve win over the Toronto Raptor, and after icing his shoulder in the fourth quarter of that game, he’s missed the last two games — wins against the Timberwolves and Rockets — with a right shoulder strain.

Brown was questionable in both matchups and seems close to returning after going through a pretty rigorous pregame workout with assistant coach Tony Dobbins.

The Celtics could use the help; they next face the Thunder on Sunday afternoon, who have won 14 straight games and now hold a 29-5 record. Brown gives the Celtics another elite scorer and defender who can help slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is having an MVP-level season.

Al Horford sat out of this one on the second night of a back-to-back, but should also be back in action Sunday. If both Brown and Horford play, the Celtics could have their entire Top 8 (starters plus Sam Hauser, Horford, and Pritchard) available for the first time in 17 games.

These technical fouls are getting weird

On Thursday, Jayson Tatum was seemingly issued a technical foul for clapping in frustration. That foul was rescinded on Friday, and Tatum smiled when asked if he was glad the NBA reversed the call.

“Yeah, I guess,” he said. “I’m happy they got it right at some point.”

On Friday night, Kristaps Porzingis received a flopping technical foul for falling after Sengun made a spin move on him.

“A lot of interesting stuff happened tonight,” Porzingis said. “But I’m glad we came out with a pretty big margin win.”

The Celtics will face the Thunder on Sunday in a battle between two of the league’s top teams. Kristaps Porzingis was asked about how the Celtics can prepare for a player of SGA‘s caliber and said: “Phenomenal player, it’s going to be a big challenge,” before poking fun at the robotic nature of those answers.

“These are like super typical answers,” he said, laughing.

He’s not wrong — Oklahoma City is 29-5, SGA is averaging 31.2 points per game on 52.5% shooting, and Celtics-Thunder is shaping up to be as good a regular season matchup as you’ll find.