The Boston Celtics have one of the most balanced offenses in the NBA, with most players having ample opportunities to score.
That balanced attack proved beneficial Wednesday night as the Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies, 119-95, to pick up a second straight win. Six players scored in double figures, and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum scored a team-high 23 points on 50% shooting from the field.
Per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Tatum left the game in the third quarter with a right groin strain.
According to John Karalis of MassLive.com, Jaylen Brown was out with an ankle sprain. With Brown out, the Celtics needed someone to fill the scoring void. Brown is the Celtics’ third-leading scorer. Daniel Theis was second behind Tatum in scoring, as he totaled 14 points, grabbed four rebounds and had three blocks.
It looks like Tatum strained the groin on that acrobatic drive in the 3Q where he passed it out to Kemba. He labored for a couple of possessions after that before asking out of the game. #Celtics #Grizzlies
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) January 23, 2020
Gordon Hayward and Marcus Smart both scored 12 points, and Enes Kanter and Brad Wanamaker combined for 23 points off the bench.
The Celtics had a quality shooting performance, as they shot 50.6% from the field and 43.8% from the 3-point line. A 41-point third quarter was the height of their offensive outburst.
Another key facet of the win was the Celtics’ defense. Rookie phenom Ja Morant was held to a season-low two points, and Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies’ third-leading scorer, scored six points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field.
The Celtics will look to extend their win streak to three games Friday on the road against the Orlando Magic.
[lawrence-related id=27848,27828,27819,27806]