The Boston Celtics defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-103 on Wednesday at FedEx Forum. Jaylen Brown scored 21 points to lead the Celtics in their preseason opener.
Boston jumped ahead 35-23 after the first quarter. Derrick White added 16 points and 10 assists in 27 minutes.
The Celtics extended the lead to 68-45 at halftime with 33 second-quarter points. Sam Hauser contributed nine points on three three-pointers.
Jayson Tatum sat out with right Achilles rehab. Payton Pritchard and Neemias Queta also did not play.
Memphis trailed 99-72 entering the fourth behind Jaylen Wells’ 21 points. The Grizzlies scored 31 points in the final period but fell short.
Santi Aldama tallied 12 points and six rebounds for the hosts. Rookie Cedric Coward added 15 points off the bench.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. did not play for Memphis. Wendell Moore Jr. also sat out.
Boston shot 43.6% from the field and scored 50 points in the paint. The Celtics forced 22 turnovers while committing 13.
Memphis connected on 38.6% of attempts and grabbed 53 rebounds. The Grizzlies scored 44 points inside.
White drained two threes and blocked two shots. Brown grabbed one rebound in 20 minutes.
Hauser dished two assists alongside his scoring. Chris Boucher added 11 points and four rebounds.
Wells hit three three-pointers for the Grizzlies. Aldama blocked no shots in 25 minutes.
Coward pulled down six rebounds. Javon Small scored six points with six assists.
The Celtics’ bench produced 55 points. Memphis reserves tallied 63.
This win gives Boston a 1-0 preseason record. The Grizzlies drop to 0-2 as both teams test rotations.
