Stop us if you’ve heard this before: The Boston Celtics opened up a massive first-quarter lead and proceeded to throw it away over the next 36 minutes.
It was the same old script Sunday at FedExForum, as the Celtics saw an 18-point first quarter lead evaporate over the next three frames in a frustrating 101-98 loss. The Grizzlies trailed by 21 points at one point but took the lead with less than five minutes remaining and out-executed Boston down the stretch to send the C’s to their third consecutive loss.
Isaiah Thomas drilled a desperation 3-pointer split seconds after the final buzzer sounded to seal Boston’s fate.
Thomas broke out of his offensive slump with 35 points and eight assists, both game highs. Avery Bradley returned to the lineup after a three-game injury absence to drop 14 points, while Amir Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds. Zach Randolph (25 points, 13 rebounds) led a Grizzlies attack that saw three Memphis players record double-doubles.
STARTING FIVE
Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder, Kelly Olynyk, Amir Johnson
ON LOCKDOWN
The Celtics jumped out to an early lead thanks to some tenacious defense.
Memphis made just one field goal in the game’s first six minutes, as Boston’s starting lineup, bolstered by Bradley’s return, got all over the Grizzlies in the first quarter. Jae Crowder set the tone right away by picking off a lazy Tony Allen pass to Jeff Green.
WHAT SLUMP?
Apparently Thomas has had enough of his scoring woes.
The struggling Celtics point guard came out white-hot Sunday, pouring in 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in nine minutes of first-quarter action. Thomas, who had been a combined 11 for 37 in Boston’s previous two games, finished 11 for 19 from the floor.
SECOND RATE
As it has in the last several contests, the Celtics’ bench struggled to maintain Boston’s lead in the second quarter.
Brad Stevens gave David Lee some run for the first time in four contests, but the Celtics big man struggled to find his shot, shooting just 2 of 6 from the floor in the frame. He wasn’t the only one who struggled, as Boston’s bench as a whole shot 20 percent in the quarter to help the Grizzlies hang around.
BOARD GAMES
The Grizzlies punished the Celtics on the glass in the third quarter to cut Boston’s lead to single digits.
Memphis out-rebounded the C’s 19-6 in the quarter while pulling down an amazing 10 offensive boards. The home team made the most of those second chance opportunities, ripping off a 14-0 run midway through the frame to vaporize what once was a 20-point Boston lead.
A clutch Thomas 3-pointer sparked a 9-2 Celtics run in response, but Memphis still outscored Boston by seven in the quarter.
The Grizzlies out-rebounded the Celtics 58-39 on the night.
PLAY OF THE NIGHT
The Celtics finished the first half on a high note by perfectly executing head coach Brad Stevens’ terrific ATO (after-timeout play):
UP NEXT
The Celtics will complete their three-game road trip Tuesday by traveling to New York to take on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks entered Sunday with an 18-20 record after winning three of their last four. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Thumbnail photo via Justin Ford/USA TODAY Sports Images
