Boston’s Jayson Tatum shoots against Memphis’ Brandon Clarke in the first half Monday night in Memphis, Tenn. Brandon Dill/Associated Press
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jayson Tatum scored 39 points, including a pair of free throws with 2.2 seconds left, and the Boston Celtics held on for a 109-106 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
The Grizzlies inbounded the ball after Tatum’s free throws, but Ja Morant slipped in the backcourt and never got off a shot for a chance to tie the game.
Morant finished with 30 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Desmond Bane had 19 points for Memphis.
Jaylen Brown had 21 points and nine rebounds but made only one of his six 3-pointers for the Celtics, who were 12 of 37 from outside the arc. Al Horford and Marcus Smart had 15 points apiece, with Smart handing out 12 assists.
Memphis had rallied to take the lead entering the fourth quarter, but a 10-0 Boston rally in the middle stages of the quarter broke open a 90-90 tie and Boston went on to its third straight win.
But just barely, as Memphis tried to close the gap before falling short.
In a spirited first quarter, both teams shot well as the bickering about calls led to technicals for Morant and Tatum in the quarter. But the Celtics had an 18-0 run in the second and a 37-20 advantage in the quarter. Boston’s lead reached 14 and the Celtics led by 11 at the break.
Tatum had 19 of his 25 first-half points in the quarter.
The third quarter turned into a shootout featuring Morant and Horford, who hit his first four shots in the quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers. Meanwhile, Morant made all but one of his six shots, scored 14 points in the quarter.
A 3-pointer by John Konchar in the closing seconds allowed Memphis to carry an 85-84 lead into the final frame.
NOTES
The Celtics have been granted a $3.23 million disabled player exception for the loss of the injured Danilo Gallinari, according to multiple reports.
The DPE expires on March 10 and the Celtics can use it to acquire any one player – within the granted amount – who’s on an expiring contract. It’s a salary cap exception, not a roster exception, which means the Celtics must have an open roster spot to acquire a player through the DPE. Boston is currently at its max of 15 roster spots.
Gallinari, who signed a two-year deal with the Celtics this summer, tore his ACL in September. While it’s not certain if he will miss the entire season, the granting of the DPE means that it was ruled that it’s more likely he won’t return before June 15. If the Celtics both use their DPE and Gallinari returns, both players can still play.
Gallinari was expected to be a key player off the bench for the Celtics this season before suffering the injury. But the veteran forward seems to be making steady progress. He started shooting again recently and he’s been posting videos of his exercises on social media.
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