Injury-riddled Grizzlies overmatched in loss
Sunday may have been the peak moment this season of how unfortunate the Memphis Grizzlies have been with injuries.
Memphis was missing 13 of its 15 players on standard contracts against the Nba-leading Boston Celtics. Along with David Roddy and Luke Kennard, Memphis’ active players consisted of three players on two-way contracts and three on 10-day deals.
That was just too much to overcome against a team the level of the Celtics. Boston led wire-to-wire as the Grizzlies suffered their fifth straight loss, 131-91 at TD Garden.
Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson scored 18 points on a team-high 24 shot attempts. Memphis (18-32) has lost five consecutive games.
Boston (38-12) was without Jaylen Brown, but Celtics leading scorer Jayson Tatum carried the load. He finished with 34 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
New Grizzlies starting lineup
The Grizzlies unveiled their 30th starting lineup of the season against the Celtics.
Jackson and Trey Jemison each got their first NBA starts, joined by Jacob Gilyard, Kennard and Roddy. Jemison lasted less than a minute before picking up two quick fouls and going to the bench.
Six-foot-nine forward Tosan Evbuomwan was forced to play center against 7-3 Celtics center Kristaps Porzingas. Boston and Porzingas took advantage of the size difference by scoring 10 of their first 11 points in the paint.
That opened up Boston’s offense and led to easy 3-pointers. Porzingas finished with 26 points.
Where the game got away from Memphis
The Grizzlies looked overmatched early, but they kept fighting. Memphis made a run in the second quarter and got within two points after trailing by as much as 11 in the first.
If anything, that run opened the eyes of the Celtics and let them know that they may not be able to sleepwalk their way to a win.
Boston emphatically responded with a 24-6 run over the last five minutes of the second quarter. Memphis never got back within single digits after that run.
Opportunity presents itself
Sunday’s game was a good opportunity for Grizzlies players on two-way and 10-day contracts to make a statement. Boston is one of the NBA’S top offensive and defensive teams, so playing well would be an eye-catcher.
Jackson took advantage of his green light and had attempted 21 shots by the end of third quarter.
Scotty Pippen Jr. came off the bench and was effective when he played. He finished with a team-high 19 points and four assists while making both of his 3pointers.
Next up
The Grizzlies will be back in action Tuesday against the New York Knicks (6:30 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast). Memphis lost its first meeting against the Knicks 106-94 on Jan. 13.