Jaylen Brown scored 28 points but Amen Thompson had a career-high 33 points, including the winning shot in the final second, as the Celtics marked their return from a four-game road trip with a 114-112 loss to the Rockets Monday night at TD Garden.

NBA title contenders and a rematch of Wednesday's thriller in Houston, the Rockets defeated the Cavaliers for the second time in four days with Saturday's 135-131 victory (box score) at Cleveland.

Amen Thompson's athleticism and play in his second year has been key for Rockets who have ascended to being one of NBA's top four teams.

There's a legitimate argument for Thompson to remain as the starter when Smith returns. The Rockets have found the same success with Thompson in the starting lineup, and he's been producing at a higher level. Based on his seamless fit in the first five, head coach Ime Udoka will have a tough decision to make soon.

Amen Thompson is putting up elite numbers as a starter for a Houston team at No. 2 in the West (30-14). It’s hard to see him leaving it any time soon.

The Rockets are exceeding expectations this season and Thompson is following that theme by having an ascendant sophomore campaign.

The Houston Rockets have one of the best rebounding guards in the league in Amen Thompson. Thompson, 21, is averaging eight rebounds per game for the Rockets th

Given how much twins Amen and Ausar Thompson are lumped together, even when being praised by NBA stars for their athleticism, head-to-head matchups provide an opportunity for separation.