Grizzlies 110, Celtics 106
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Reserve Memphis guard Jerryd Bayless scored a season-high 30 points, sparking the Grizzlies to a 110-106 victory over the Boston Celtics on 11-for-20 shooting at FedEX Forum on Saturday night.
Memphis (47-22) will clinch its third straight playoff berth if Washington beats Golden State later Saturday night.
Bayless came into the game averaging 7.8 points per game, but this was the third time in the last five games that he scored 20 or more. He knocked down 4 of 6 of from 3-point range.
Darrell Arthur, who started in place of power forward Zack Randolph, scored 18 with seven rebounds. Ed Davis, who started in place of injured center Marc Gasol, scored 11 with eight rebounds.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics (36-33) with 26 points. Boston trailed by 21 with 7:16 left in the in the fourth, 98-77, but then went on a 25-6 run to cut the lead to two, 104-102 with 18.9 second left as Jordan Crawford (21 points) made two free throws. But Boston could draw no closer as the Grizzlies hit 9-of-12 free throws from there to the buzzer to close out the game.
Randolph recorded his 40th double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Point guard Mike Conley also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists. He also made four steals.
The Grizzlies are now 4-0 when playing before a sold-out crowd at home this season; they also beat Miami, the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City.
The Celtics jumped out to a 12-2 start and led 31-29 after one quarter behind Pierce's 13 points. Bayless warmed up with eight first-quarter points but then scored 12 in the second on 5-of-7 shooting (2 of 3 from 3-point range) and the Grizzlies owned a 61-51 halftime lead.
NOTES: Gasol was out with what coach Lionel Hollins termed a "slight abdominal strain." Gasol first sustained the injury March 6 against Portland and aggravated the injury in Friday's loss at New Orleans. Randolph did not start because he was late to shoot-around. ... Celtics forward Kevin Garnett and guard Courtney Lee were both out with left ankle sprains. Boston coach Doc Rivers said Jeff Green would start in Garnett's place but had not determined who would replace Lee.
