The Boston Celtics (50–20) suffered a tough 90–87 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies (40–32) at the TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday night in what was a close and physical game throughout.
The Celtics—who are vying for the Eastern Conference No. 1 playoff seed with the Chicago Bulls (51–19)—got their shooting off to a poor start, going 5–15 in field goals in the first quarter, and had a tough time contending with the Grizzlies defense throughout. They were also plagued with turnovers when it mattered most—every time they made a small surge to take the lead.
Memphis led for much of the game, building as much as a 10-point lead in the second quarter before the Celtics got their offense clicking and went on a 17–4 run late in the quarter to eke out a three-point lead.
The half finished with the Celtics up 45–44, with the entire team contributing in near-even scoring. Only reserve forward/center Troy Murphy, with just over three minutes of playing time, hadn’t scored by the half.
The Grizzlies also had near-even scoring, but relied more heavily on their bench than Boston. Reserve forward/center Leon Powe led the team in scoring at the half with nine points. It was surprising that neither team had a player reaching double digits.
The third and fourth quarters were a battle.
The Grizzlies maintained a small lead throughout the third quarter until Ray Allen and Paul Pierce drained consecutive 3-pointers to pull the Celtics up by five points with just over four minutes to go. The Grizzlies continued to rely more on their bench for scoring while the Celtics starters began to step it up. Pierce scored 12 points in the third quarter alone.
The fourth quarter was close throughout; the game went right down to the buzzer. Glen Davis had an opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds but his 3-pointer was off to the right.
It was a happy win for Tony Allen, who was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies at the end of last season. Allen, who scored eight points for Memphis, made sure to give hugs and handshakes to his former teammates and Boston coach Doc Rivers following the game.
The top three scorers from the Grizzlies starters were matched in scoring by three reserve players, with no one breaking the 20-point mark. Starting forward/center Zach Randolph and reserve forward/center Leon Powe led the Grizzlies in scoring with 13 points, and center Marc Gasol had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics got a bit more out of their star players; Pierce finished the night with 22 points and Allen 14. Kevin Garnett contributed 10 points.
The Celtics next play the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday before a four-game away series starting on Sunday.
The Celtics—who are vying for the Eastern Conference No. 1 playoff seed with the Chicago Bulls (51–19)—got their shooting off to a poor start, going 5–15 in field goals in the first quarter, and had a tough time contending with the Grizzlies defense throughout. They were also plagued with turnovers when it mattered most—every time they made a small surge to take the lead.
Memphis led for much of the game, building as much as a 10-point lead in the second quarter before the Celtics got their offense clicking and went on a 17–4 run late in the quarter to eke out a three-point lead.
The half finished with the Celtics up 45–44, with the entire team contributing in near-even scoring. Only reserve forward/center Troy Murphy, with just over three minutes of playing time, hadn’t scored by the half.
The Grizzlies also had near-even scoring, but relied more heavily on their bench than Boston. Reserve forward/center Leon Powe led the team in scoring at the half with nine points. It was surprising that neither team had a player reaching double digits.
The third and fourth quarters were a battle.
The Grizzlies maintained a small lead throughout the third quarter until Ray Allen and Paul Pierce drained consecutive 3-pointers to pull the Celtics up by five points with just over four minutes to go. The Grizzlies continued to rely more on their bench for scoring while the Celtics starters began to step it up. Pierce scored 12 points in the third quarter alone.
The fourth quarter was close throughout; the game went right down to the buzzer. Glen Davis had an opportunity to tie the game in the final seconds but his 3-pointer was off to the right.
It was a happy win for Tony Allen, who was traded from the Celtics to the Grizzlies at the end of last season. Allen, who scored eight points for Memphis, made sure to give hugs and handshakes to his former teammates and Boston coach Doc Rivers following the game.
The top three scorers from the Grizzlies starters were matched in scoring by three reserve players, with no one breaking the 20-point mark. Starting forward/center Zach Randolph and reserve forward/center Leon Powe led the Grizzlies in scoring with 13 points, and center Marc Gasol had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics got a bit more out of their star players; Pierce finished the night with 22 points and Allen 14. Kevin Garnett contributed 10 points.
The Celtics next play the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday before a four-game away series starting on Sunday.
