While the 30 teams were on deck on Monday evening, since the NBA gives way to the midterm elections tonight, which are being held today in the United States, one of the most enticing posters in this rich program was definitely that Grizzlies – Celtics, Tennessee. A high-level duel between two teams that currently occupy third place in their respective conferences.
In fact, as expected one might say, the meeting was particularly disputed, even if very disjointed at times. After three quarter-time pleasant but difficult to read since the momentum changed sides several times, it was in fact in the last quarter that the level of play of the two clubs stabilized, and that the outcome took shape.
This turned in favor of the Celtics (109-106), who put the barbed wire in defense at the right time (21 points conceded), while taking advantage of a high level “money-time” from Jayson Tatum, who signs a new XXL performance (39 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists) to respond to a Ja Morant also inspired and close to the triple-double (30 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals).
This is the Celtics’ third straight victory, which also deprives the Grizzlies of a fourth consecutive victory.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A quarter, a trend. This meeting was quite surprising to follow, since in each quarter, there was a turnaround. In the first act, it was the Grizzlies who started best, with 34 points on 54% on shots. Before being furiously pushed around by their opponents in the second quarter: 37-20 for the Celtics (including 19 for Jayson Tatum). Back from the locker room, when we think of the Grizzlies at their lowest… they respond! A 31-19 under the impetus of a great Ja Morant to cancel all the momentum accumulated by Boston in the previous quarter. And finally, there is this last quarter, the most important and decisive, which turned in favor of the Celtics and Jayson Tatum. In short, being bored was not an option during this game.
– Grant Williams, essential despite… zero shots attempted. The Celtics’ inner brawn isn’t a great forward, but he’s still a highly “valuable” player to the Celtics. Proof of this is with his line of stats for the evening: no shots attempted, but 5 rebounds, one assist, one interception and one counter. And above all, two very decisive free throws in the last moments, his only two points of the match, to put the Celtics away. And despite that modest stat line, he finished with +6 +/-, third best on his team.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Jayson Tatum. The Celtics boss wasn’t consistent throughout, but he hit hard when his team needed him most: in the money-time to fend off the Grizzlies, with a 3/6 on shots and a few important throws. Before that, he hurt the opposing defense very badly in the second quarter, during which he scored 19 points. Almost the same total as the Grizzlies in this second act, authors collectively of only 20 points. “JT” is in “MVPesque” form at the start of the season.
✅ Marcus Smart. In relay of his teammate whose XXL performance we have just mentioned above, the leader of Boston signs an “all-around” match as he knows how to do them so well: 15 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds, and efforts defensive players at all times who cannot be seen in the box score.
✅ Ja Morant. Despite the defeat, nothing to say about the game of Ja Morant, who comes to tickle the triple-double with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, and of course the leader +/- of his team with +14. A night like any other, for the amazing, leaping point guard of the Grizzlies.
⛔️ The Celtics bench. If we have to look for the little beast despite the victory, we can blame the Celtics, or rather their replacements, for their weak contribution: only 17 points. Fortunately, without consequence, since the big performance of Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart, and to a lesser extent of Jaylen Brown, was enough. But the Boston bench has accustomed us to higher standards this season.
THE FOLLOWING
– Grizzlies (7-4) : trip to San Antonio, on the night of Wednesday to Thursday (02:00)
– Celtics (7-3) : reception of the Pistons, the same night (01:30)
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