Grizzlies try to get healthy for matchup with Celtics
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}(SportsNetwork.com) - The Memphis Grizzlies will try to have enough healthy bodies on the floor Friday night when they welcome the Boston Celtics to FedExForum
A stomach virus is ravaging the team with the best record in the NBA. The Grizzlies announced that Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, Beno Udrih, Jon Leuer, Jarnell Stokes, Kosta Koufos and Quincy Pondexter are all sick and questionable Friday night.
Stokes and Pondexter played Wednesday night when the Grizzlies fell north of the border to the Toronto Raptors, 96-92. Memphis squandered an 11-point lead and saw the end of its four-game winning streak.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Marc Gasol led an unhealthy Memphis team with 22 points to go along with 12 rebounds and Zach Randolph deposited 18 points and 18 boards for the Grizzlies. Memphis slaughtered the Raptors on the glass, 50-35, but made some uncharacteristic mistakes late.
Grizzlies guard and long-time Raptor Vince Carter was honored with a video montage during the first quarter as part of Toronto's 20th anniversary celebration for the franchise. A teary-eyed Carter waved to the crowd as he received a long standing ovation from the Toronto faithful.
"It was amazing," Carter said of the tribute. "I didn't know how I was going to act. It was amazing to watch everything on the screen and it just felt like yesterday."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Grizzlies host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, then head out on a four-game road trip.
The Celtics stopped a three-game losing streak with a 101-90 road victory over the winless Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. The Celtics have won two straight as the visitor.
Brandon Bass and Jared Sullinger combined for 55 points, Rajon Rondo had 13 assists and Boston pulled away for the win. Bass scored 23 off the bench, Sullinger added 22 with nine rebounds and Marcus Thornton had 13 points for the Celtics.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jeff Green finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Rondo had nine points, but only attempted five shots.
The Celtics outshot the Sixers 52.5 percent to 37.5 percent in the third and fourth quarters after the score was tied 46-46 at halftime.
"We just played faster (in the second half)," said Sullinger. "Coach challenged us at halftime to play harder, faster, smarter and that's what we did."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Grizzlies have won 20 straight regular-season home games and have taken four straight over the Celtics. Boston has lost two in a row in Memphis, but did win the five previous trips to Beale Street.