Lining up for the 2nd game in a row between the Grizzlies and Celtics in Las Vegas at MGM Resorts. Memphis came out of the gates the stronger team to lead 10-5 after suffering a humiliating 26 point defeat.
Tremont Waters whose father passed away Thursday Night was suited up and available for the game. The 51st pick in the NBA Draft, showed trememdous courage of spirit to even contemplate suiting up for a Summer League game under such circumstances. Waters has shown to be a very nifty facilitator who can also get shots for himself.
Carsen Edwards who reportedly signed a four-year deal came off the bench once more and immediately looked to push the pace alongside Tremont Waters. Edwards shot was a little off to start going 1-4 from three point range, so it was good to see him push into the paint and get going.
Edwards’ shot was off to start going 1-4 from three point range, so he proceeded to push into the paint and get going. Edwards who has shown a propensity to drive into the key a little bit of control, showed off a smooth technique on this play to load up 7 points in the 1st quarter Robert Williams III continues to show flashes of court awareness as his passing has been on full display this week
Memphis front line players 2nd-year Bruno Caboclo (9 points, 10 rebounds) and rookie Brandon Clarke (18 points, 12 rebounds) most assuredly came to play after a disappointing showing Thursday. Both players were involved in a mix of inside and outside scoring to put pressure back on the Celticsbigs, who ran pretty free Thursday night.
Memphis would go on 13-1 run that later included 7 consecutive three point makes as the points dissipated for Boston. The struggling Celtics would go 4-24 from three in the first half, which led to very disjointed play, basically it was ugly Summer League basketball to watch, (something we haven’t said at all this week) as the first half ended 37-49.
With the Celtics left to play catch up in the 2nd half, things got scrappy and chippy. With a Semi-final matchup on the line with either Miami and New Orleans. players like Max Strus, Javonte Green and Chinanu Onuaku showed a gritty resolve and held there own against a Memphis team who had every right to feel confident. Boston managed to get back to 5 points but the 3rd quarter would end 63-71 The ball continued to flow through Waters (16 points, 1-10 3pt) and Edwards (25 points, 6-14 3pt) into the final quarter as both guys were struggling to shoot with any consistency from long range, Memphis continued to pound the Celtics inside. Despite this, they resolved and continued to shoot from deep, as Edwards was looking to heat up with this...The tiny backcourt of the Celtics rallied strong to get back to to within 1 point, but some late game mistakes let Memphis squeak by for the win.