The Boston Celtics delivered a commanding performance at home, outpacing the Memphis Grizzlies with precision and poise. From tip-off, Boston set the tone with aggressive defence, fluid ball movement, and timely scoring, gradually building a lead that Memphis struggled to overcome. A decisive third quarter ultimately broke the game open, showcasing the Celtics’ depth and cohesion as they pulled away to secure a convincing victory in front of their home crowd.
In a night where the Celtics looked to rebound and steady the ship, they faced the Grizzlies at home in Boston. From the opening tip, the tempo was set by Boston, who attacked early and looked to impose their will on both ends of the floor. The Grizzlies entered the game fighting to keep their season from slipping further, but the Celtics were determined not to let the opportunity pass.
First Quarter:
Boston came out of the gates with energy. They pushed the pace in transition, found open threes and moved the ball smartly. The Grizzlies tried to stay in touch, but they were met with a steady Celtic defence and crisp execution on offence. By the end of the first quarter, the Celtics had established a lead, thanks in part to quick ball movement and aggressive help defence that stymied Memphis’ initial efforts.
Second Quarter:
The Grizzlies attempted to regroup. They changed their defensive assignments, looked to increase physicality and tried to slow the game down. Boston responded by maintaining spacing, sharing the ball and exploiting mismatches. Memphis still found some success with drives and interior touches, but the Celtics were slightly ahead at half-time, having kept most of the momentum in their favour.
Third Quarter:
This period proved decisive. Boston escalated their lead by increasing defensive intensity and converting on the offensive end more reliably. The Grizzlies’ attempts to fade Boston’s surge were unsuccessful — turnovers crept in, the three-point defence faltered and the Celtics exploited that with a series of efficient trips down the floor. By the end of the third, Boston had built a significant cushion, forcing Memphis into a catch-up mode that proved difficult to execute.
Fourth Quarter:
With the lead in hand, the Celtics shifted into control mode. They did not let the game become frantic; instead they managed tempo, kept the pressure on defence and continued to capitalise on second-chance opportunities. Memphis did show flashes of resistance — hitting some threes, working their way into the paint — but the deficit was too large. Boston closed out strongly, denying Memphis any late run and clinching the win convincingly.
Key performances:
Boston’s collective execution made the difference. The team defence stood out — limiting easy looks, contesting shots and forcing the Grizzlies to work harder than they’d like. On offence, the Celtics’ spacing, movement off the ball and timely three-point shooting were significant. Memphis, conversely, showed signs of effort and fight, but mistakes at bad moments and Boston’s surge in the third quarter did too much damage.
What it means:
BOSTON, MA - NOVEMBER 12: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics and Jock Landale #31 of the Memphis Grizzlies go for the rebound during the game on November 12, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
For Boston, this win offers a confidence booster. They showed that when they play with cohesion, energy and tactical discipline, they can dominate a game for long stretches. It suggests they’re still very much in the discussion when it comes to executing over 48 minutes. For Memphis, the loss underscores the need to tighten things: fewer turnovers, better defensive rotations and a higher level of consistency will be required. They’ve got talent, but closing the gap on top teams means limiting self-inflicted damage.
Final take-away:
The Celtics succeeded by dictating pace, playing with purposeful motion and defending smartly. The Grizzlies simply couldn’t mount a sustained enough response once Boston seized control. With the lead in hand, Boston kept the foot on the gas, closed smartly and left little doubt. It was a full-team performance, and one that the Celtics can look back on as one of their cleaner outings in recent times.