Today in Boston Celtics history: Team stymies Grizzlies' playoff clinch in Orlando bubble

Today in Celtics history in 2020, the Celtics kept the Memphis Grizzlies from clinching a postseason berth.

Today in Boston Celtics history, the Celtics prevented the Memphis Grizzlies from a postseason berth in the depth of the 2020 pandemic. They pulled it off with a 122-107 win in the Orlando bubble, where NBA ball clubs played after the league resumed play after close to a four-month hiatus due to the COVID outbreak).

Boston seemed to begin to find a rhythm with the win against the Grizzlies as they added to their first string of wins to four games after a 1-2 start since play restarted. The Celtics also got to enjoy forcing Memphis to need to secure another win to guarantee themselves a spot in the 2020 NBA Playoffs with the victory.

“I feel like every game we play, it’s the underdog,” said Ja Morant of the loss via the AP. “We were projected to be 27th this year and we (are) here. So that’s how we’ve been attacking every game,” he added. “I feel like our next game won’t be (any) different.”

Aug 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Gordon Hayward #20 of the Boston Celtics drives the ball as Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies defends during the fourth quarter at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

“I think we’re pretty close to being ready, especially after tonight,” said Boston’s Kemba Walker after the game. “We’ve definitely come a long way. We’re jelling really well. We’re having fun. Competing at a very high level. I think we’re feeling pretty good right now.”

“Hopefully we can just keep getting better,” agreed then-head coach Brad Stevens. “The way the ball has been moving has been good. The way guys are covering for one another. But we know that we’ve got less than a week before we open a playoff series. So all of it better be getting good.”

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Team stymies Griz playoff clinch in Orlando bubble

Category: Basketball