League leading Memphis Grizzlies got most of their roster ready for Friday night's game and used their strong frontcourt to bully the Boston Celtics.
Seven of the Grizzlies players were questionable before the game, but five of them overcame the stomach virus that kept five players out of Wednesday night's loss in Toronto. Only Tony Allen and Quincy Poindexter had to sit this one out.
If anyone on the team still suffered from the virus, they didn't show it in a strong start where Memphis used Zack Randolph and Marc Gasol to get physical in the paint against the somewhat weaker Celtics big men, Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk. The Memphis duo combined for 23 points in the first half.
Even Memphis' second unit had their way against Boston, led by Jon Leuer who had 10 points alone in the first half. Memphis led by 14 after Tayshaun Prince hit a triple at the buzzer.
Memphis started the second half in similar fashion as the first by going to their big men. Actually even more, as Randolph and Gasol combined for the team's first 19 points in the second half.
Usually Boston can hang with most teams when it comes to points in the paint, but this night they were outscored 66-38. Marc Gasol led all scorers with 32 points while his partner in crime Zack Randolph had 16 points and 16 rebounds, a double-double.
Kelly Olynyk started the night cold, hitting only one of his first seven shots, but ended up as Boston's leading scorer with 18 points after hitting his next five.
Memphis Grizzlies haven't lost a regular season game at the FedEx Center since February and are on a 21-game winning streak at home. They now have five wins in a row against the Boston Celtics.
Next up for Memphis is the Los Angeles Clippers in another home game on Sunday. Boston will play against the Portland Trail Blazers also at home on Sunday.