VIDEO: Bradley's jumper gives Celtics big win over Grizz
Wednesday marked Avery Bradley's return from a three-game absence due to an elbow injury. And he was cold. As in cold-blooded, hitting a jumper with seven seconds left to seal his Boston Celtics' 95-92 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Whether they want to be or not, the Celtics are very much in the playoff race, only 1 1/2 games out of eighth in the East after Wednesday's win. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, saw their grip on both the Southwest Division and No. 2 in the West loosen further with the loss.
Bradley finished with 17 points and five rebounds as the Celts played an all-around game without Isaiah Thomas, who's out with a back injury. The Grizzlies' Mike Conley had a game-high 20 points, despite leaving the game briefly with an ankle injury and needing to be carried off the floor.
Memphis is now 13-5 in games decided by five points or fewer this season and 6-5 since the All-Star break. The loss to Boston was their first loss this season against an Eastern Conference team with a record below .500.
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