Rockets 93, Celtics 87: Donatas Motiejunas scored a career-best 26 points and matched a season high with 12 rebounds as visiting Houston defeated Boston for its fourth straight win.

Josh Smith added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets, who were without center Dwight Howard (knee) for the fourth straight game. James Harden had 14 points on 4-of-21 shooting to go with seven assists and Corey Brewer added 10 points.

Brandon Bass and Marcus Thornton scored 17 points apiece for the Celtics, who lost for the 11th time in 16 games. Tayshaun Prince added 13 points and Avery Bradley scored 10.

Boston trailed by nine in the final quarter before a string of six points cut Houston’s lead to 82-79 prior to a basket by Motiejunas with three minutes left. Two free throws by Smith made it 88-81 with 51.6 seconds left but a basket by Thornton moved the Celtics within 90-87 with 27 seconds remaining before Brewer made two free throws and Harden split a pair to make it a six-point differential.

Houston led by as many as 19 points in the second quarter and held a 60-42 edge at the break. The Rockets had just nine points on 4-of-20 shooting in the third quarter and Boston whittled away and pulled within 69-64 entering the final stanza.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Motiejunas was 11-of-16 from the field and made three 3-pointers. … Celtics C Tyler Zeller grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench. … Houston posted a 46-32 edge in points in the paint.