In a nail-biting clash, Kristaps Porzingis showcased his scoring prowess, contributing 26 points, including the decisive dunk with 1:01 left, as the Boston Celtics (11-2) clinched a hard-fought 102-100 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies (3-10) on Sunday night.
Porzingis’ game-changing dunk, followed by a tense sequence of missed shots from both teams, secured Boston’s sixth consecutive win.
Jayson Tatum’s 20 points and Sam Hauser’s crucial 15, featuring 5 of 7 from beyond the arc, played pivotal roles in the Celtics’ triumph.
Despite Desmond Bane’s stellar 30-point performance and Santi Aldama’s career-high 28 points for Memphis, the Celtics’ defensive resilience, highlighted by Porzingis’ six blocks, proved crucial in the final moments.
The Grizzlies were shorthanded, missing stars like Ja Morant, Steven Adams, and Brandon Clarke.
Boston’s full-strength lineup, including a questionable Jaylen Brown, faced a resilient Memphis, with ex-Celtic Marcus Smart sitting out due to a left foot sprain.
