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Summer Celtics bring the fun vs. Grizzlies - stay undefeated 113-87

Robert Williams III highlights win number 4 against Memphis.

2019 Las Vegas Summer League - Boston Celtics v Memphis Grizzlies Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

As two undefeated teams squared up head to head at MGM Resorts, quite a few fascinating matchups emerged early between the two teams. 21st pick in the 2019 draft Brandon Clarke lined up against Celtics young front court pairing of Robert Williams III and Grant Williams. Fellow starter Tremont Waters got the nod alongside fellow 2-way player Max Strus who combined well in the opening stanza. Strus who started Summer league slow, came out strong nailing a pair of threes and getting out in the open court for an emphatic flush.

Tacko-mania was alive and well once more, as Fall made an early bench appearance alongside dynamite scorer Carsen Edwards. Tacko Fall (12 points, 4 blocks & 8 rebounds) had yet another solid performance from the bench and showed some great defensive pressure whilst catching lob after lob late in the game.

Edwards (15 points, 3-6 from three) who was selected in the 2nd round this past June, took a little while to get started but once he did, he knived through the Grizzly defenders for an easy layin and pulled up for a heat check three against the retreating Memphis summer squad.

With the pace heating up, Grant Williams showed the poise on ball that has impressed many so far in Vegas, finding Robert Williams III for a nasty fast break Alley Oop. It was a period when it seemed like Robert Williams was involved in all the team’s great plays consecutively, tallying 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists in the first half alone.

With Grizzlies number 2 pick in the 2019 Draft, Ja Morant unavailable once more, it was the Summer Celtics who impressed posting a blistering 58 point first half to lead 58-41 whilst hitting on 9-17 from three.

Robert Williams III (16 points, 16 rebounds & 4 assists) kept the pressure on Memphis into the 2nd half, elevating for yet another uncontested dunk with his chin at rim level as Tremont Waters expertly found the 2nd year big man. The hot shooting didn’t let up as both Max Strus (13 points) and Grant Williams (21 points, 7 rebounds) showed range at the end of some slick perimeter passing, something we have seen a great deal of this summer.

Tremont Waters showed some explosive penetration on ball and handily chipped in 8 points and 9 assists, Stan Okoye also helped his stocks notching 15 points and 6 rebounds. The chants rang out: “we want Tacko!!! we want Tacko!!!” in the third quarter, the only thing left for the fans is to get some Tacos as this was not close in the last quarter.

Robert Williams III had his best game by far in this years Summer League, with his passing and court vision really rounding out his performance tonight.

Boston join the Timberwolves and Pistons as the only undefeated teams and will await the Summer League Bracket creation to see who they face next in Las Vegas.


UPDATE: Celtics to play rematch against the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday at 4:30pm, per Jay King of the Athletic:

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