MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A lackluster performance through 2 1/2 quarters left the Grizzlies down 21 points to Boston.
But thanks to better defense and the inside play of Zach Randolph, Memphis overcame that deficit Sunday for its biggest comeback victory of the season in a 101-98 win over the Celtics.
“It’s never going to be easy,” said Grizzlies guard Tony Allen, who had a couple of steals that contributed to 10 Boston turnovers after halftime. “We aren’t just going to come in and dust people on the floor. We just aren’t that type of team.”
Randolph had 25 points and 13 rebounds to lead Memphis, which held on down the stretch.
Isaiah Thomas, who led the Celtics with 35 points, made two free throws to cut the Memphis lead to 101-98 with 5.1 seconds left. Then he stole the ball after the Grizzlies’ inbounds pass.
Avery Bradley missed a 3-pointer, but the rebound eventually landed in Thomas’ hands again as time was expiring. He launched a 3 that would have tied the game, but officials confirmed the basket came after the final horn, giving Memphis its fifth victory in seven games.
Boston lost its third straight and fifth in the last six.
“It’s very frustrating because we ended up losing,” Thomas said. “I don’t know what it is. We find ways to lose. You have to give credit to Memphis. They grinded it out.”
Mario Chalmers scored 18 points for the Grizzlies, hitting 11 of 13 free throws. Allen finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Matt Barnes added 12 points and Marc Gasol scored 11 on 5-for-17 shooting.
Amir Johnson and Bradley had 14 points apiece for Boston. Johnson also grabbed nine rebounds. Jared Sullinger scored 11 points, Jae Crowder added 10 and Thomas had eight assists.
The Celtics dominated the first half, building the lead to as many as 18 with good ball movement that provided Boston easy inside baskets at times. That helped the Celtics carry a 53-38 lead into the break.
Boston started the second half by pushing the lead to 21, but 14 straight points by Memphis put a dent in the margin. Randolph continued to score inside and got help from Chalmers, who had 12 points in the third quarter.
Memphis took its first lead since the game’s opening basket when Gasol converted a three-point play with 3:49 left. The Grizzlies converted all 12 of their free throws in the final 3:08 after the game was tied at 87.
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