NBA – What’s up, Doc? Lackluster Celtics fall at home to Rockets

BOSTON (NBA) - The Boston Celtics now trail the Miami Heat for the best record in the Eastern Conference after falling at home to the Houston Rockets on Monday night.

In snapping a five-game losing streak, Houston got 24 points from Aaron Brooks in a 108-102 triumph over the Celtics.

The defeat was the second in a row for Boston, who are playing without injured forward Kevin Garnett.

Argentina's Luis Scola had 12 points and nine rebounds for Houston.

Boston are now 28-9 and trail Miami (30-9) for the best record in the conference.

"I've got to somehow figure out a way of getting them to see the urgency of the whole season, and not the single game," said Boston coach Doc Rivers, who knows his team could end up meeting the red-hot Heat in the play-offs.

"Playing Game Seven on the road ... and not just in the finals, if you make it there, but in the playoffs, in the East, which is going to be difficult."

Houston are 17-21 and trail Portland (20-18), who occupy the eighth play-off spot in the Western Conference.

Chicago are 25-12 and third in the Eastern Conference following a 95-82 home triumph over Detroit.

Team USA's Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer poured in 29 and 27 points, respectively, for the Bulls.

They have won seven of their last 10 games while Detroit are 12-25 overall.

The Memphis Grizzlies had been playing well but they fell at the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday.

Charlotte's Stephen Jackson led the offense with 27 points and also came up with a team-high four steals as the Cats improved to 14-21 and dropped Memphis to 17-21.

The Bobcats, despite their poor season, only in close pursuit of the eighth and final play-off spot in the Eastern Conference.

They are 10th, behind eighth-place Philadelphia (15-22) and ninth-place Milwaukee (14-21).

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