Celtics Make History: Perfect 6-0 Road Trip Capped With Win Over Grizzlies
The Boston Celtics wrote their names in the franchise record books Monday night, completing an unprecedented 6-0 road trip with a 117-103 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Playing without All-Star forward Jaylen Brown, who sat out with knee soreness, Boston overcame an early 11-point deficit to secure their ninth consecutive win.
The victory, which saw Boston pull away in the fourth quarter after Memphis had cut the lead to single digits, showcases why many American betting sites now list the Celtics as favorites to capture the NBA championship this season. These platforms provide full coverage of NBA matchups, including features such as same-game parlays and live betting options that track momentum swings in real time. This gives basketball fans numerous ways to interact with significant games like this historic Celtics road trip finale.
Horford Leads Balanced Attack
Veteran center Al Horford delivered a vintage performance off the bench, scoring a season-high 26 points and matching his career high of six three-pointers. The 37-year-old, who missed the previous game against San Antonio for rest, punished the Grizzlies on numerous occasions when left open on the perimeter.
Derrick White added a double-double, and Jayson Tatum contributed his typical all-around brilliance with 25 points and 14 rebounds. Jrue Holiday continued his March resurgence with his third consecutive game of double-digit scoring, giving Boston four players with significant offensive output.
Holiday Finding His Rhythm
Jrue Holiday's offensive awakening has added a new dimension to the Celtics' already formidable attack. The former All-Star guard hit four three-pointers against a Memphis defense that appeared content to let him shoot.
Holiday has now scored double figures in seven March games, his highest monthly total of the season. His increased aggressiveness has forced opposing defenses to pay closer attention to him, allowing more room for Boston's other weapons as the playoffs approach.
Tillman's Memphis Homecoming
Former Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman began against his former team in an interesting subplot. The crowd in Memphis welcomed the 26-year-old, who was making his first appearance since March 6, during introductions.
Despite shooting 0-for-5 from three, Tillman contributed with hustle plays and rebounding in his eight minutes on the court. The Michigan State product appeared to be improving after missing time with a sore knee, potentially giving Boston another frontcourt option for the playoffs.
Morant Leads Late Charge
Despite the loss, Grizzlies star Ja Morant demonstrated why he is still one of the league's most dynamic players, scoring a team-best 26 points. Morant led a late Memphis charge in the fourth quarter, threatening Boston's comfortable lead.
The All-Star guard helped reduce the Celtics' 15-point lead to single digits midway through the fourth quarter, before Boston tightened its defense to seal the victory.
Breaking Franchise Records
This flawless road trip propels the 2024-25 Celtics into franchise history, surpassing the previous best record of 5-0 set by the 1972-73 team in February 1973. What makes this accomplishment even more impressive is that all six victories were by double digits.
Boston has now won 14 of its last 15 games, hitting their stride just as the playoffs approach. With two away games remaining (in New York and Orlando), the Celtics are still on track to match the best road record in NBA history.
Playoff Positioning
The Celtics will now return to TD Garden, where they will play five of their remaining seven regular-season games. Boston is currently four games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Eastern Conference's top seed, and claiming home-court advantage throughout the playoffs will be a difficult task.
The goal is still to keep up the momentum and get Brown healthy for the postseason run, even though the team is playing some of its best basketball of the year.
Defensive Lockdown
Following three quarters in which Memphis was within striking distance, Boston's defense tightened up considerably in the final quarter. The Celtics displayed their signature defensive tenacity in the fourth quarter, holding the Grizzlies to just 18 points.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Celtics appear to be serious contenders for the championship thanks to their defensive prowess, balanced offensive attack, and increasing confidence. Their ability to seal games with defensive stops will be crucial as the playoffs heat up in the coming weeks.
The Celtics can return to Boston after two weeks on the road with confidence that they have established themselves as the team to beat heading into the postseason.
