Irving, Celtics chase off Grizzlies

BOSTON — The Celtics hobbled into the All-Star break, dropping three games in a row.

In its three games back, Boston is looking like a team that made the most of the time off.

Kyrie Irving scored 25 points in three quarters of work and the Celtics held off the Memphis Grizzlies, 109-98, on Monday night (Tuesday Manila time).

Boston has won all three of its games coming out of the All-Star break. Terry Rozier finished with 15 points. Jaylen Brown added 13.

After scoring a basket early in the second quarter, the Grizzlies went nearly eight minutes without a field goal. The Celtics rallied during Memphis' drought, and used a 22-6 run to increase their lead to 55-30.

Boston (43-19) led by as many as 28 points in the second half.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said he thinks their preparation his been more consistent since coming back from the break.

"We've just played a little bit better," Stevens said.

One player who the Celtics are continuing to lean on is Irving.

He went 8 of 13 from the field and connected on 5 out of 8 3-point attempts. In his last four games Irving is averaging 26.8 points on 39 of 64 shooting, including 15 of 28 from the 3-point line.

Irving said he's feeding off the energy his teammates are giving him.

"It's just our focus level, getting everybody back. Just knowing what we're trying to get ready for," Irving said.

JaMychal Green had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Grizzlies. Marc Gasol added 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Memphis (18-41) has lost 10 straight games and 10 consecutive on the road. The Grizzlies are also 0-10 on the road this season against the Eastern Conference. They remain the only NBA team with a road victory against the East.

Despite the loss, coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he left the court encouraged by the way his team competed in the fourth quarter, despite facing a double-digit deficit.

"We haven't been a group that's laid down, we've been a group of guys that have continued to fight," he said.

Grizzlies guard Tyreke Evans sat out his second straight game with a right rib injury.

Memphis has yet to win a game this season with Evans not in the lineup (0-10).