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.

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.

Even Rockets center Steven Adams, whose offensive rebounding rate was recently called “unreal” by Nuggets coach Michael Malone, was impressed by his teammate who is four inches shorter and 10

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.

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.

Adam Wexler: #Rockets take down the Cavaliers again, 135-131. Amen Thompson w/ his 2nd career triple-double: 23p, 14r, 10a Jalen Green & Alperen Sengun each with 26p. Houston now 30-14, remain 2nd in the West. @SportsTalk790

Amen Thompson had his second career triple-double, Alperin Sengun and Jalen Green scored 26 points apiece and the Houston Rockets beat the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers 135-131 on Saturday night.