Boston Celtics aim for sixth straight home win against Detroit Pistons

In a thrilling NBA matchup in Boston, the Memphis Grizzlies ended a decade-long losing streak at TD Garden by defeating the Boston Celtics 127-121 on December 7, 2024. Ja Morant had a standout performance, contributing 32 points, along with nine assists and nine rebounds. This victory marked the Grizzlies' first win in Boston since November 27, 2013, and came just as Morant seemed to regain his form after returning from injury. The Grizzlies controlled the game, outscoring the Celtics 64-40 in the paint, showcasing their dominance in close-range scoring despite Boston's efforts to mount a comeback. The Celtics had previously been on a roll, winning eight of their last nine games, but they struggled against a revitalized Grizzlies team. Although the Celtics fought hard, erasing a 14-point deficit in the third quarter and even taking an early fourth-quarter lead, Memphis rallied back to secure the win with a late 7-0 scoring run. Jaren Jackson Jr. also played an important role for the Grizzlies, adding 27 points and nine rebounds to the team's overall effort. For the Celtics, junior holiday was the top scorer with 23 points, though the team collectively struggled with their shooting from the three-point line, hitting only 30% of their attempts. This game was particularly significant for Marcus Smart, who faced his former team for the first time since his trade to Memphis earlier in the season. He received a warm welcome from the Boston crowd, but his performance was lackluster as he finished with just three points after making only one of eleven shots. The Celtics were missing key players, including Jayson Tatum, which impacted their overall effectiveness. Coach Joe Mazzulla's team had prided themselves on a strong season, but this loss highlighted vulnerabilities in their game, particularly in defending the paint. With this victory, the Memphis Grizzlies shifted momentum in their season, winning eight out of their last nine games, while the Celtics prepared to face the Detroit Pistons at home, hoping to bounce back from this disappointing defeat. Both teams will need to reassess and regroup as they move forward in the competitive NBA landscape.