Inside The Celtics

Kristaps Porzingis Explains Why Celtics Have NBA's Best Clutch Record

Kristaps Porzingis registered a team-high 26 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks as the Celtics survived 102-100 against the short-handed Grizzlies on Sunday.

Bobby Krivitsky

Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
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Even the most diehard Memphis Grizzlies fans probably weren't anticipating Sunday night's matchup at FedExForum would come down to the wire.

Not with the hosts missing eight players and facing a team that, at 10-2 with victories in five-straight games, entered this tilt with the best record in the NBA and the league's longest active win streak.

But Memphis' physicality and the lack of flow, resulting from the officials frequently sounding the whistles, made it difficult for the visitors to find, let alone sustain, their rhythm.

They weren't sharp defensively, either. Late rotations and players constantly leaving their feet on pump fakes reflected that perhaps the Celtics took their opponent lightly, or at the very least, didn't bring the same focus and intensity they'll likely have for Wednesday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks.

But with the score tied at 100 and 1:01 left, Jayson Tatum went to work in the mid-post before finding a cutting Kristaps Porzingis for a dunk that gave Boston a slight edge.

Still clinging to that two-point lead, the C's seven-foot-three center then sealed the win, swatting Ziaire Williams' attempt at a baseline fadeaway to beat the buzzer and force overtime.

"Emotional game," Porzingis stated to NBC Sports Boston's Abby Chin after the Celtics survived, 102-100, improving to 5-2 in games within five points in the final five minutes, the best clutch record in the Association this season.

"These guys played hard. They played hard, and they came to win. And we had to grind this one out. We didn't have our best game. We took them seriously, but those guys can play, and we're just happy to come out with a win."

The former All-Star, who registered a team-high 26 points, eight rebounds, and six blocks on Sunday, also gave his perspective on why Boston's been so successful in crunch time of its most tightly contested matchups.

"I think JT. JT is a very stoic guy. And (in) these situations, he's very emotionless. And he leads us. He leads us in these kind of situations. He can get a big bucket, (and) he can make a big play, and he did that towards the end. And we have great players (and) great leaders on this team, and we're capable of controlling our composure at the end and (being able to) win these tight games."

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Survive vs. Shorthanded Grizzlies

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Weather the Storm to Prevail vs. Raptors

Jaylen Brown Blasts In-Season Tournament Court After Injury in Celtics’ Win vs. Raptors

Celtics Discuss Significance of Rivalry Win vs. 76ers for No. 1 Seed in East

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Keys to Celtics Second-Half Turnaround in Win Over 76ers

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Beat 76ers in Their Best Win of Young Season

Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'

Kristaps Porzingis Discusses Chemistry with Jaylen Brown: 'I Love Playing with Him'

Kristaps Porzingis Gives Glimpse of How He'll Boost Celtics Late-Game Offense

Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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