BSJ Game Report: Celtics 112, Grizzlies 103: Huge second half rally produces win taken at BSJ Headquarters (Celtics)

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Celtics

BSJ Game Report: Celtics 112, Grizzlies 103: Huge second half rally produces win

By Brian Robb

Dec 30, 2018 • 12:43 am

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Everything you need to know about the Celtics beating the Grizzlies 112-103 in BSJ Quickie Form

Box Score 

HEADLINES

Celtics rally from 19 down in final 20 minutes: After getting roasted by the Rockets on Thursday night, the Celtics were staring at a 0-2 start to their road trip after spotting the Grizzlies a 19-point lead four minutes into the third quarter. Memphis (38 points in the second quarter) was doing whatever they wanted offensively with Mike Conley (26 points) and Marc Gasol (15 points, 10 assists) setting the table early. The visitors started to show some fight on the defensive end and found their rhythm on offense, keying a 57-29 run over the final 20 minutes to close out an impressive road win, their second-biggest rally of the year. Kyrie Irving (26 points, 12 assists) posted a double-double in his third straight game while Marcus Morris was huge with 22 points in 33 minutes. Al Horford chipped in with 18 points in just 23 minutes as the C’s rode a hot shooting night from 3 (44 percent) to the big win.

Stevens goes with the old guard in crunch time: With a myriad of wings playing well in midst of the comeback, Brad Stevens had a number of options at his disposal for a tie game in crunch time. He opted to go with Morris, Gordon Hayward (14 points) and Marcus Smart over Jayson Tatum despite the fact that the forward had a strong defensive performance (four steals). The decision paid dividends for Boston’s offense as the C’s played a wonderful two-man game with Irving and Horford down the stretch that produced open looks all over the floor. The extra pass was prevalent (29 assists on 40 made field goals) and helped stretch thin one of the best defenses in the league to the point where Memphis surrendered 65 second-half points.

TURNING POINT

After chipping away at the Grizzlies' lead for the entire second half, the Celtics managed to put them away over the final four minutes with a 16-6 run. Irving masterfully ran the offense during this stretch, assisting on or scoring 23 of Boston’s final 25 points of the game as the visitors repeatedly got open looks. Defensively, the C’s locked down on Conley and Gasol, to cap off of 16-point fourth quarter for the Grizz.

TWO UP

Kyrie Irving in the second half: The point guard refused to let the Celtics lose this one after an ugly first half in which he nearly had as many turnovers (three) as points (four). Irving came out rejuvenated after intermission and posted 22 points and seven assists over the final 24 minutes, on his way to his third straight double-double.

Al Horford: The big man made the most of his 23 minutes by knocking down a career-high five 3-point shots from beyond the arc, including the clincher with 34 seconds remaining in the game to put Boston up seven. The 5-of-7 shooting night from deep helped to raise his 3-point shooting accuracy up to 35 percent on the year and unlocked some beautiful offense against one of the toughest defenses in the NBA.  

TWO DOWN

Daniel Theis: The center looked sluggish for the second straight night and received a DNP-CD in the second half as Guerschon Yabusele made the most of his extended run. Theis has been a valuable contributor for most of the year but he’s just not moving well enough laterally right now against bigger opponents to give the C’s what they needed. Gasol also bullied his smaller frame in the post and he has no touch right now around the basket. He’ll keep getting chances but he might start losing minutes to Yabusele.

Celtics’ first-half defense: Memphis has one of the worst five offenses in the NBA, yet they managed to score 64 points in the first half against a Boston defense that was showing nearly no resistance in the interior. The Grizzlies went 20-of-24 from two-point range in the first half, feasting on Boston’s lack of physicality and focus, which did not arrive until after a passionate plea from Irving and the coaching staff at halftime.

TOP PLAY

Tatum out of nowhere




TWO TAKES B-ROBB WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER


This was an important win on a random night in December:
After playing one of their worst quarters of the season in the second frame (38-18 Grizzlies), the Celtics looked like they were left for dead in this one. However, this was an important comeback for not who it came against (a solid West opponent) but the manner in which it occurred. Stevens got contributions from everyone who played in the second half in some form or another, from Yabusele all the way to Irving. The bench unit chipped away at the lead with Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward making some shots, while Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart stepped up with defense. Those guys passed the baton to Irving and Horford late, as those guys closed the door. Everyone in the locker room can feel good about how they played in the second half in this one and there haven’t been too many wins lately against quality opponents in which that can be said.


Guerschon Yabusele makes his case for more playing time:
He deserved more of it on Thursday night in Houston but after another first-half dud from Theis, Yabusele was thrown into the fire again. Yabusele brought energy on the defensive end and a big enough body to battle with Gasol and buy minutes for Horford on the bench. He has shown glimpses of potential all year long at various points but nothing as positive as this performance. With the status of Rob Williams (strained groin) and Aron Baynes (broken hand) uncertain for the next few weeks, Yabusele may very well be the best option for a true big off the bench if Theis doesn’t have it.

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