Grizzlies at Celtics
The Boston Celtics sent a signal that their recent swoon was just an aberration with a convincing victory over the Western Conference-leading Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. The Celtics will try to avoid a letdown and build off the impressive rout when they host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in the finale of a three-game homestand.
After losing three straight and six of eight overall, the Celtics shot 55.9 percent from the field and scored at least 33 points in each quarter en route to a 139-107 win over the Lakers. "We were fortunate to put the ball in the basket quite a bit," coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "The ball going in masks some things." The ball has been going in plenty for the Grizzlies of late, who averaged 124.3 points during a seven-game winning streak that came to an end Monday against visiting New Orleans. Dillon Brooks tied a season high with 31 points in the 126-116 setback as Memphis failed to match the longest winning streak in franchise history.
TIME: 7:30 p.m. ET. TV: FS Southeast, NBCS Boston
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (20-23): Memphis took some pride in cutting a 25-point deficit down to five with under two minutes to go against New Orleans before ultimately suffering its first home loss since Dec. 23. "We just kept playing until the buzzer sounded," rookie guard Ja Morant, who had 16 points and nine assists, told reporters. "They had some tough baskets late to seal the win." Center Jonas Valanciunas contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds and he's averaging 17.1 points and 11.2 boards while shooting 60.8 percent in January.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (28-14): Jayson Tatum led the way Monday with 27 points while hitting 10-of-18 from the floor in 29 turnover-free minutes. Kemba Walker helped out with 20 points and seven assists after missing the previous contest with a knee issue, and he is averaging 30 points on 61.1 percent shooting over his last two games. Jaylen Brown sat out the previous two games due to a thumb sprain but also came back strong with 20 points, six assists and three steals.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Morant is averaging 19.3 points on 56.7 percent shooting and 8.8 rebounds in January.
2. Celtics C Enes Kanter averages 8.2 rebounds in 18.5 minutes on the season.
3. Boston has won seven straight meetings and four in a row at home.