Celtics Open 2025 with Dominant Road Trip Start, Fueled by a Crucial Team Meeting
HOUSTON — The Boston Celtics are kicking off the new year in style, delivering two commanding victories on their four-game road trip—despite missing All-Star Jaylen Brown. The team’s latest triumph, a 109-86 dismantling of the Houston Rockets on Friday night, showcased the Celtics’ depth and determination to recalibrate after a rocky December.
A significant storyline from the win was the return of Kristaps Porzingis, who rejoined the lineup after missing four games due to an ankle injury. Porzingis made an immediate impact, playing a pivotal role alongside Luke Kornet as Boston’s defense clamped down on the Rockets, allowing just 30 points in the second half. The duo’s presence under the basket and the team’s collective effort highlighted Boston’s ability to dominate without one of their key scorers.
This back-to-back road success comes on the heels of an uneven December, during which the defending NBA champions posted an 8-6 record. Determined to avoid a repeat of last month’s inconsistency, the team took proactive steps to reset their mindset. According to Porzingis, a team meeting ahead of the road trip proved instrumental in shifting their focus and refining their approach.
“We had a good meeting before this trip—just a little bit of a ‘look in the mirror’ type of meeting to see where we can improve and what we can do better,” Porzingis said after Friday’s win. “Teams are obviously coming for us, and some are playing their best basketball against us. So we talked about making small adjustments, staying consistent, and continuing to improve as a team.
The message seems to have resonated, as Boston displayed a renewed sense of urgency and cohesion against Houston. With a focus on defense and ball movement, the Celtics stifled the Rockets’ offense while showcasing their versatility, even in Brown’s absence.
As the road trip progresses, Boston looks to build on this promising start, setting the tone for a more consistent and dominant January. If Friday’s win is any indication, the defending champions are ready to embrace the challenge of being the team everyone else wants to beat.
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