The Houston Rockets were dealt a painful blow when Jabari Smith Jr. was put on the injury report after breaking his hand. The Rockets won't have Smith for the n

The Houston Rockets expect Jabari Smith Jr. to require surgery and miss four to eight weeks after breaking his left hand during shootaround Friday.

On paper, the Boston Celtics had already made 17 3s, just one shy of their season average with nearly three-quarters of a quarter to go. By comparison, the Houston Rockets had converted only nine. But Friday night’s dismal showing — a lopsided 109-86 loss to the reigning champs — was yet another painful reminder of the offensive shortcomings augmented by a lack of bodies,

Derrick White and Jayson Tatum combined for 43 points and the visiting Boston Celtics rode a brilliant offensive first half to a 109-86 win over the injury-depleted Houston Rockets on Friday.

The toughest month of the Celtics’ schedule is off to a banner start. Twenty-four hours after outlasting the Timberwolves in Minnesota, Boston manhandled the Houston Rockets on Friday, cruising to a 109-86 demolition of one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.