Up The Hill Backwards- Recap: Grizzlies vs Celtics

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Final Score: Grizzlies- 101, Celtics- 98

The first half was ugly and painful to watch, and that’s putting it kindly. Down by 15 at halftime, losing seemed to be a foregone conclusion for this Grizzlies team. But on the broad shoulders of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, something amazing, almost miraculous happened. From the team that has been getting roasted during the second half more often than not this entire season, coming back from 21 points down in the second half was a sight for sore eyes.

By The Numbers:

Overall:
Points in the Paint: BOS- 50, MEM- 46
Second Chance Points: BOS- 14, MEM- 19
Fastbreak Points: BOS- 23, MEM- 20
Biggest Lead: BOS- 21, MEM- 5
Lead Changes: 4
Times Tied: 3

Grizzlies:
Jeff Green- 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Matt Barnes- 13 points, 9 rebounds
Marc Gasol- 11 points, 11 rebounds
Tony Allen- 15 points, 10 rebounds
Mario Chalmers- 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Zach Randolph- 25 points, 13 rebounds
Vince Carter- 8 points, 2 rebounds
JaMychal Green- 6 points, 4 rebounds.
Elliot Williams- 2 points

The Grizzlies attacked the boards with ferocity and it showed, and Memphis finished the night with 58 rebounds (21- OREB, 37- DREB) over the Celtics 39 rebounds (11- OREB, 28- DREB)

A Few Things:

Mike Conley and Courtney Lee were both out due to injury.

The first quarter of this game can only be described as terribly forgettable. That the first basket of the night and the Grizzlies first points came off a Tony Allen 3PT just before the shot clock expired ended up being a sign of things to come. It would be another three minutes before Memphis would score again, during which time the Celtics went on a 10-0 run and there was at least one missed shot from each of the Grizzlies starters. Memphis was down 18 by the end of the first quarter, which incidentally was more than they actually scored during said quarter.

The second quarter didn’t show much improvement, and by the time halftime blessedly arrived, the Grizzlies were down 15.

I have no idea what went on in the locker room during halftime, but the team that came out in that second half was barely recognizable from their first half selves.

It was a little slow to get moving, but with the help of Mario Chalmers and his twelve 3rd quarter points, the Grizzlies went to work cutting away at the lead the Celtics had built.

With just over three minutes left in the final quarter, the Grizzlies finally managed to hammer down the lead for the first time since TA’s opening 3 point shot. It seems only fitting that the Grindfather threw down a couple of majestic dunks in the 4th, as well as a turn-back the hands of time dunk from Vince Carter.

A great early birthday present for Tony Allen, who turns 34 today. It was a hard-fought win for the home team, and they earned every bit of it.

Aimee Stiegemeyer
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