1. Following Boston’s blowout victory over Memphis, Brad Stevens, Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum were all asked if the team was ready for the playoffs. Walker and Tatum both said versions of “I think so. We’re close.” Stevens was very much a coach and said “We’ve done some good things. We just need to keep improving.”
No matter what was said, Boston looks playoff ready. The defense is back to playing at a high level. The Celtics were locked in against the Grizzlies from the tip. Memphis shot just 39% for the game and had trouble finding good looks almost all game long.