Copyright The Boston Globe
The Celtics faltered in the final seconds again on Tuesday night, falling to the 76ers after an ugly final possession on the road. It was the third time this season Boston has had the ball with a chance to win or tie the game and failed to convert. “I think we’re going to be in a lot of close games this year,” guard Derrick White said. “These are things we can learn from and grow from. But it’d be nice to start winning some of them.” It’s a short turnaround for the Celtics, who return home to host the Grizzlies on Wednesday. Memphis has had its own struggles, as a regular West contender in recent years has sputtered in losing six of its last seven. Those struggles have coincided with some discomfort surrounding star guard Ja Morant, whose production has dipped amid ongoing tension with the Grizzlies’ coaching staff. Tip-off Wednesday is set for 7:30 p.m. at TD Garden and on NBC Sports Boston. Here’s a preview. Advertisement When: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Where: TD Garden, Boston TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5 Line: Boston -6.5. O/U: 229.0. GRIZZLIES Season record: 4-8. vs. spread: 3-9. Over/under: 5-7 Last 10 games: 3-7. vs. spread: 2-8. Over/under: 3-7 CELTICS Season record: 5-7. vs. spread: 4-8. Over/under: 5-7 Last 10 games: 5-5. vs. spread: 4-6. Over/under: 4-6 TEAM STATISTICS Points per game: Memphis 114.3, Boston 111.8 Points allowed per game: Memphis 119.8, Boston 109.7 Field goal percentage: Memphis .443, Boston .444 Opponent field goal percentage: Memphis .483, Boston .442 3-point percentage: Memphis .341, Boston .328 Opponent 3-point percentage: Memphis .361, Boston .362 Stat of the day: The Celtics started slowly Tuesday, making more field goals in the third quarter (15) than they did in the first half (14). Notes: The Celtics made just 36 of 92 shots (39.1 percent) on Tuesday and lost for the fourth time in six outings. Jaylen Brown had 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists in the setback. He is averaging a team-high 27.7 points per game. “Just little stuff throughout the game that we have to be better at,” Brown said. “Tonight was not a good example of that. ... Rebounds, layups, transition opportunities — stuff that you just have to take advantage of.” ... One positive was the play of guard Jordan Walsh, who came off the bench to contribute 8 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in a career-high 29 minutes. “Just the effort that he plays with on the defensive end,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “The different ways that he can play-make on the offensive end, whether it’s screening, offensive rebounding, knocking down open shots, which he’s done. So he’s just getting better and better. Gotta keep it up.” ... Memphis allowed 77 points in the first half and 114 points through three quarters in a loss to the Knicks Tuesday. New York also scored 33 points off 22 Memphis turnovers. “We just have to put a full 48 minutes together,” Memphis guard Cam Spencer said. “We think we’re very close to getting on the right path here.” Advertisement Amin Touri can be reached at amin.touri@globe.com.
