Kristaps Porzingis had 26 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots to help the visiting Boston Celtics stretch their winning streak to six games by beating the depleted Memphis Grizzlies 102-100 Sunday night.
A Porzingis dunk broke a 100-100 tie with 1:01 to play. Santi Aldama had a chance to put Memphis in front, but his 3-point attempt with four seconds remaining was off the mark. Zaire Williams tracked down the rebound, but Porzingis blocked his shot at the buzzer.
Jayson Tatum added 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists for the Celtics, who are 15-1 in their last 16 games against the Grizzlies. Boston’s Sam Hauser came off the bench to make 5 of his 7 3-point attempts and finished with 15 points.
The Grizzlies received a game-high 30 points from Desmond Bane, who also had eight assists. Aldama finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Memphis listed eight players as out on their injury report. Luke Kennard (knee), Derrick Rose (foot), Marcus Smart (ankle) and Xavier Tillman Sr. (knee) are among the Grizzlies who did not play. In addition, Jake LaRavia was listed as doubtful with an eye abrasion and did not play.
Memphis had a 100-98 lead after Bane made a 3-pointer with 1:48 remaining, but Boston tied the game on two Porzingis free throws with 1:33 left.
The Celtics trailed 27-26 after one quarter, but had a 56-53 lead at halftime. Aldama had 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the half. Porzingis led Boston with 16 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.
Boston was up 50-40 — its largest lead of the half — following a Tatum basket with 3:16 left in the half. The Celtics had a 30-14 edge in points in the paint through the first two quarters.
Each team scored 23 points in the third, which gave the Celtics a 79-76 lead entering the fourth.
The loss dropped Memphis to 0-6 at home.
–Field Level Media
Julius Randle scored 24 points and dished 11 assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 117-93 win over the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of their Western…
Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards left the Timberwolves’ Thursday playoff game against the Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis after sustaining a sprained left ankle on a drive to the rim. Edwards…
Former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry was hit by a countersuit seeking $100 million on Thursday from an ex-employee who maintains the billionaire subjected her to years of sexual harassment…
Wolves’ Anthony Edwards exits due to ankle injury
Ex-Bucks owner Marc Lasry subject of sexual misconduct suit
Nuggets leaning on experience, Thunder on road prowess in Game 3
A’ja Wilson has no shortage of motivation after Aces’ early exit in ’24