NBA: Porzingis makes winning dunk, Celtics hold off Grizzlies
Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, center, handles the ball against Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
MEMPHIS, Tennessee — Kristaps Porzingis scored 26 points, including the winning dunk with 1:01 left, as the Boston Celtics held on for a 102-100 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
Porzingis’ dunk was followed by a flurry of missed shots including a missed 3-pointer by Santi Aldama with 4 seconds left as Boston held on to win its sixth straight.
Jayson Tatum finished with 20 points and Sam Hauser added 15 for Boston.
JT DISHES TO PORZINGIS TO TAKE THE LEAD 💪 https://t.co/h7dRxRdw2c pic.twitter.com/NKewpQcTsZ
— NBA (@NBA) November 20, 2023
Desmond Bane led Memphis with 30 points, while Aldama added a career-high 28 and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 17 points.
Memphis, with a makeshift lineup, stayed close through three quarters, but the Celtics maintained the lead much of the game and Porzingis benefitted from going against the smaller Memphis lineup. Still, there were seven ties and 18 lead changes.
Memphis, as it has done most of the season, played without key players. Last year’s leading scorer Ja Morant is serving a 25-game suspension to start the season. The Memphis frontline has been depleted by a season-ending injury to center Steven Adams, while backup Brandon Clarke is still recovering from an Achilles injury.
The injury report also includes point guard and former Celtic Marcus Smart, who sat out with a left foot sprain. Smart played his entire career with Boston before an off-season trade landed him in Memphis.
Meanwhile, the Celtics were at full strength, including Jaylen Brown, who was listed as questionable on the pre-game injury report.
The Celtics shot 51% in the first half and held Memphis to 38%. Boston led 56-53 lead at the break.
UP NEXT
Celtics: Wrap up a four-game road trip Monday in Charlotte.
Memphis: Travels to Houston to face the Rockets and former teammate Dillon Brooks on Wednesday.
