The Celtics second-half struggles continued on Monday night. In the second game of a six-game road trip, the C’s came up short against the Houston Rockets in a 111-109 loss.

After building up an early first-quarter lead, the Celtics struggled to maintain any sort of momentum. Meanwhile, the Rockets were able to take advantage. The Celtics never led by more than a position after the opening few minutes, and two brief possessions in the second quarter were their final lead of the game.

• "The free throws, the rebounding, the turnovers, the second chances... It's concerning"
  
  Joe Mazzulla addresses new concerns with the Celtics after loss to Rockets pic.twitter.com/FJkyad7Adz

  — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 14, 2023

• In the second half, the Celtics did start to chip away. They got the deficit to a single possessions multiple times in the fourth quarter, but could never get over the hump.

  That includes the final minute of the game. There was a chance for the Celtics to at least tie the game, but a miscue by Jayson Tatum saving a ball heading out of bounds, and then a missed layup by Tatum at the final buzzer, sealed the game for Houston.

• Final play of the game. Is the center on your favorite team picking up Jayson Tatum 94 feet with the game on the line? pic.twitter.com/BJoKHLOUSY

  — V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) March 14, 2023

• Tatum finished the game with 22 points on 8-of-22 shooting, including a 2-of-10 mark from three. He also had eight rebounds and six assists.

  It was really Jaylen Brown keeping the Celtics in the game throughout. He had 43 points, shot 16-of-25 from the floor, and 4-of-10 from three.

  Malcolm Brogdon was the only other Celtics player to finish in double figures. Coming off the bench, he added 20 points.

• Flushed it down 🔨 pic.twitter.com/No2Ed7WB0k

  — Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 14, 2023

• With the loss – their third in the last five games – the Celtics dropped to 47-22 on the season. They’re now two games behind the Milwaukee Bucks for first place in the East, and just a game up on the Philadelphia 76ers for third place.

  The Celtics will try to get back in the win column on Wednesday, when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves. Coverage of that game can be heard on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the BetMGM Sports Hub Celtics Radio Network, starting with pregame at 7:30 p.m. ET.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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