Playing on the second night of a back-to-back without starters Jaylen Brown and Sam Hauser, the Celtics improvised and won big.

Two-way forward Ron Harper Jr. got his first career start with Boston and played a gem in helping an undermanned Celtics squad beat the Rockets on the road. Harper Jr. finished with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists in the victory that included some terrific defense on Houston star Kevin Durant in a 114-93 blowout win.

HOUSTON (AP) — Derrick White made six 3-pointers and scored 28 points and the Boston Celtics used a big third quarter to build the lead and cruise to a 114-93 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Kimball wore only jersey No. 7 and put up 7.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game.

BOTTOM LINE: Charlotte will try to keep its four-game road win streak alive when the Hornets play Houston. The Rockets have gone 17-5 in home games. Houston scores 115.5 points while outscoring opponents by 5.4 points per game.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Alperen Sengun matched his season high with 39 points, and Jabari Smith Jr. added 19 to help the short-handed Houston Rockets overcome the absence of All-Star forward Kevin Durant to beat the Indiana Pacers 118-114 on Monday.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Conner wore only jersey No. 7 and put up 2.5 points and 1.1 assists per game.

Ron Harper Jr. started his first-ever NBA game on Wednesday night — and had a standout game in an improbable Celtics win over the Rockets.