Grizzlies Upset With ‘Let’s Go Celtics’ Chant Takeover In Memphis

The Boston Celtics set a franchise record with their first-ever six-game road trip sweep, sealed against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on Monday night.

However, when the final buzzer went off and the Celtics secured their 117-103 win over the Grizzlies — their ninth in a row — it didn’t sound like a road game. The Memphis crowd began to chant, “Let’s go Celtics!” after witnessing the reigning champions take their next step to tying the NBA’s all-time road wins record (34), currently held by the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors. The send-off didn’t sit well with the Grizzlies.

“That can’t happen,” Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said, per the Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole. “We go to the other team’s arena and we feel the other team’s energy, their crowds and things like that. That’s two games in a row where the other team has had a presence here.”

Memphis was no exception. Celtics fans had conquered and invaded various stops throughout the team’s road trip, including San Antonio and Phoenix. While fans in each of those cities failed to stomach the sight of the Celtics unleashing a hard-to-watch beatdown, those in support of the title repeat chasers relished the opportunity to make each stop sound and feel just like TD Garden.

“It pissed me off,” Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama said, per Cole.

Ja Morant and the Grizzlies remained competitive throughout most of regulation. Under recently promoted interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Memphis gave Boston a run for its money and came within seven points during the final three minutes of the fourth quarter. But Derrick White’s sudden flip-of-a-switch after the 30-year-old missed nine of his first 12 shot attempts guided Boston past the gritty Grizzlies.

White also set the single-season record for most 3-pointers made in Celtics history, surpassing ex-guard Isaiah Thomas with 247 made and seven games left to play. Boston’s depth was too much for the Grizzlies to overcome, as even without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics managed to turn to Al Horford’s game-high six 3-pointers off the bench and Jrue Holiday’s 18-point, seven-rebound and seven-assist effort.

Boston improved its overall record to 56-19 and its road record to 32-7, which remains the best of any team in the NBA this season.

“I would venture to say that our guys are good everywhere,” Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said, per CLNS Media. “I don’t know. I think every year just takes on a different identity and different challenges. … It just kind of became what it is. I think we try to play consistent basketball. That means we’re (24-12) at home, so it’s really just four or five games. So it’s not that big of a difference. It’s more about playing consistent basketball, but I think each year you develop different kind of strengths, especially with the same team. And this year, it just happened to be our road mentality.”

The Celtics have the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (33) left to tie before Mazzulla’s team can officially match Golden State’s all-time record. Boston will play the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic — who the C’s have gone a combined 4-1 against — for its final two road games of the regular season.