Celtics Pull Away Late To Defeat Grizzlies
The Boston Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 119-109, at TD Garden on Sunday afternoon.
The Celtics (41-16) own the best record in the NBA and delivered another excellent performance Sunday, holding the Grizzlies (34-22) every time Memphis threatened to turn things around and ultimately securing the victory thanks to a dominant display in the fourth quarter. Boston looked sloppy in the early going, however, and Memphis took advantage of that to claim a 28-26 lead following the first quarter, but the Celtics responded with a 35-20 score in the second, as they marched into halftime with a comfortable 13-point lead. The Grizzlies fought back again in the third and outscored Boston by a 33-21 score, meaning the differential was just one point with 12 minutes left, but the Celtics didn’t want any surprises. Boston won the final quarter by a 37-28 score and that was enough to gave them the victory in front of their fans. With the win, the Celtics moved to 23-7 at home, while the Grizzlies fell to 11-17 on the road.
Derrick White finished with 23 points, 10 assists and three rebounds, while Sam Hauser impressed with a 20-point effort while going 6-for-11 from three-point range. Jayson Tatum notched 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, but he also shot 3-for-16 from the field. Al Horford had 16 points, nine boards and five assists, and the trio of Robert Williams III, Grant Williams and Mike Muscala each had 10 points. Williams III also pulled down 16 boards.
Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with a 25-point, six-rebound, seven-assist performance, while Jaren Jackson had 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Dillon Brooks posted 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Desmond Bane delivered 18 points with seven assists and six boards, and Brandon Clarke had 14 points while coming off the bench.
The Celtics (41-16) own the best record in the NBA and delivered another excellent performance Sunday, holding the Grizzlies (34-22) every time Memphis threatened to turn things around and ultimately securing the victory thanks to a dominant display in the fourth quarter. Boston looked sloppy in the early going, however, and Memphis took advantage of that to claim a 28-26 lead following the first quarter, but the Celtics responded with a 35-20 score in the second, as they marched into halftime with a comfortable 13-point lead. The Grizzlies fought back again in the third and outscored Boston by a 33-21 score, meaning the differential was just one point with 12 minutes left, but the Celtics didn’t want any surprises. Boston won the final quarter by a 37-28 score and that was enough to gave them the victory in front of their fans. With the win, the Celtics moved to 23-7 at home, while the Grizzlies fell to 11-17 on the road.
Derrick White finished with 23 points, 10 assists and three rebounds, while Sam Hauser impressed with a 20-point effort while going 6-for-11 from three-point range. Jayson Tatum notched 16 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals, but he also shot 3-for-16 from the field. Al Horford had 16 points, nine boards and five assists, and the trio of Robert Williams III, Grant Williams and Mike Muscala each had 10 points. Williams III also pulled down 16 boards.
Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies with a 25-point, six-rebound, seven-assist performance, while Jaren Jackson had 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Dillon Brooks posted 11 points, three assists and two rebounds. Desmond Bane delivered 18 points with seven assists and six boards, and Brandon Clarke had 14 points while coming off the bench.
Raptors Hold Off Pistons In Toronto
By Dan Bruno
The Toronto Raptors defeated the visiting Detroit Pistons, 119-118, at Scotiabank Area on Sunday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Raptors led, 31-29, after one quarter. The pace slowed down in the second, while the Pistons managed to trim it to a one-point game at the break. The hosts came out stronger in the third and rallied ahead to take a seven-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Raptors stayed in control for most of the fourth, until the Pistons cut it to a three-point game with 10 seconds left. However, the Raptors kept their focus and sealed the home win at the foul line.
Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 35 points, three rebounds, eight assists and a block, in 37 minutes. Pascal Siakam followed up with 28 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks, while Scottie Barnes added 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Raptors shot 48.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 33 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block, in 38 minutes. Alec Burks followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Jaden Ivey and Hamidou Diallo added 18 points each. The Pistons shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 13-of-34 from long range.
The Pistons (15-43) will look to bounce back as they take on the Celtics in Boston on Wednesday. The Raptors (27-31) play host to the Magic on Tuesday.
The game got out to a high-scoring start as the Raptors led, 31-29, after one quarter. The pace slowed down in the second, while the Pistons managed to trim it to a one-point game at the break. The hosts came out stronger in the third and rallied ahead to take a seven-point advantage heading into the final frame. The Raptors stayed in control for most of the fourth, until the Pistons cut it to a three-point game with 10 seconds left. However, the Raptors kept their focus and sealed the home win at the foul line.
Fred VanVleet led the Raptors with 35 points, three rebounds, eight assists and a block, in 37 minutes. Pascal Siakam followed up with 28 points, four rebounds, six assists and two blocks, while Scottie Barnes added 20 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal. The Raptors shot 48.3 percent from the field, including 11-of-30 from deep.
Meanwhile, Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pistons with 33 points, five rebounds, three assists and a block, in 38 minutes. Alec Burks followed up with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal, while Jaden Ivey and Hamidou Diallo added 18 points each. The Pistons shot 50.6 percent from the field, including 13-of-34 from long range.
The Pistons (15-43) will look to bounce back as they take on the Celtics in Boston on Wednesday. The Raptors (27-31) play host to the Magic on Tuesday.