Celtics 117, Grizzlies 112

 

Somehow, I knew this was going to be a tough game, and boy was I right. It was a tight game the whole way with a lot of lead changes, but the Celtics persevered and won by five points.

Jaylen Brown led both teams with 30 points. Luka Garza added 22 off the bench, and Payton Pritchard another 19. Derrick White scored 14, Jayson Tatum 13, and Neemias Queta got the evening's double double, scoring 12 points and 11 rebounds. Overall, the Celtics outrebounded the Grizzlies, 57-35, which helped make up the difference for their poor three-point shooting (26.2%) and one dozen turnovers.

The standings remain fairly static. The Celtics (47-23) still have a game-and-a-half lead over the Knicks in the Atlantic. The Pistons have clinched their playoff berth, and Boston trails Detroit by four in the East.

There are a dozen games left to the Celtics' regular season, including a potential playoff preview next week against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who've clinched the Western Conference title and already announced that they won't be visiting the White House, thank you (good for them).  But first, the Celtics have to play the Minnesota Timberwolves (43-28) on Sunday night in the Garden. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.