VIDEO: Rockets' Ariza finishes fancy under-the-rim layup vs. Celtics

Trevor Ariza will say that it was his plan all along.

The Houston Rockets forward drove toward the baseline as Boston Celtics big man Amir Johnson shadowed him rather closely.

As any savvy veteran would do, Ariza aptly tossed the ball up as he was being involuntarily guided out of bounds by Johnson.

The shot dropped, tying the score at 55 apiece going into halftime.

Ariza undoubtedly received praise from his teammates in the locker room for his old school, Bob Cousy-esque finish off the glass.