Memphis doesn’t play the most aesthetically appealing brand of basketball.
But man does it work, something the Celtics experienced up close and personal in the first half of Tuesday’s game in which the Grizzlies led 45-31 after the first two quarters of play.
The 31 points were the fewest points scored by the Celtics in any half of play this season.
Memphis, one of the league’s top defenses in the NBA, took control of the game with a 13-0 run which put them ahead 26-15.
Following a Celtics time-out, a driving lay-up by Kelly Olynyk snapped Boston’s shooting slump with 8:46 to pay in the second quarter.
Despite the basket, Memphis remained in control throughout the remainder of the half and continued to pull away courtesy of their defense and their control of the boards.
Boston shot just 29.3 percent from the field in the first half and were absolutely dominated on the glass, 32-19.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics fell behind by as many as 17 points before cutting Memphis’ lead to 14 by halftime.
Here are the Stars, Studs and Duds from the first half.
STARS
Marc Gasol
He really set the tone for the Grizzlies at the outset, keeping the Grizzlies in the game until his teammates began to heat up. At the half he had 15 points.
Troy Daniels
Boston had major problems with Daniels in the first half, seemingly getting whatever shot he wanted from the field. He led all scorers at the half with 14 points.
Isaiah Thomas
It was a rough first half for the Celtics, although Thomas did his part to keep the Celtics within striking distance. He had eight points, two rebounds and two assists.
STUDS
Al Horford
The Celtics went to him early and often, but two personal fouls put him on the bench for a spell. He led the Celtics with six points, five rebounds and two assists.
DUDS
Celtics 3-point shooting
Boston kept launching, one brick after another, from 3-point range with little success. At the half, Boston took 15 three-pointers with one one make.