Playing 15 minutes in his first game since missing 13 with a knee injury, Garnett had 10 points and four rebounds in Boston's 80-77 victory at San Antonio on Friday. With Garnett's minutes limited by coach Doc Rivers, the Celtics (52-18) still managed to win despite their star sitting the entire fourth quarter.

"I felt really good," said Garnett, who entered the game averaging 16.3 points and 8.8 rebounds. "Doc and I talked about strategy and minutes, and he said he'd go by the way I felt. Overall it was good for me. Hopefully I can build on this and contribute."

Garnett might have to wait a few days to do so.

With Boston having already clinched the Atlantic Division title, Rivers said Garnett wouldn't play against lowly Memphis (17-51) if he felt any tightness in the knee. The Celtics went 7-6 without Garnett and are second in the Eastern Conference, four games behind Cleveland.

"He's frustrated with this, but he understands," said Rivers, who coached his first game Friday after being fined $25,000 for criticizing a referee following a loss to Chicago on Tuesday.

Even if Garnett sits, Boston should be able to manage as it tries for a fifth straight victory - and second in a little over a week - against Memphis. The Celtics beat the Grizzlies 102-92 on March 13 and are averaging 112.3 points in their last four games against Memphis.

Ray Allen had 22 points in that contest and scored a team-high 19 on Friday after missing Wednesday's 112-108 overtime win over Miami with an elbow injury.

Boston was helped by a poor shooting night from the Spurs, who connected on only 4-of-17 from 3-point range and missed their last six free throws in the final 2:32.

Rajon Rondo had 16 points and 12 assists while Paul Pierce grabbed 12 rebounds, but was held to nine points on 3-of-16 shooting after totaling 73 points in his previous two contests.

Pierce scored 17 against Memphis last week and is averaging 22.4 points all-time against the Grizzlies.

Memphis looks to avoid a fourth straight loss after falling 96-84 at New Orleans on Friday. Rudy Gay scored 23 points for the Grizzlies, who were competitive until the Hornets' used a 17-1 fourth-quarter run to pull away.

"We are playing well against some good teams, these playoff teams," said Gay, who is averaging 18.8 points and had 26 against the Celtics last week. "Sooner or later, it's going to click and we're going to win these games. It's going to turn around for us."

Rookie O.J. Mayo is averaging 18.5 points, but had six on only 2-of-5 shooting in 41 minutes Friday for Memphis, which has lost five in a row at home. He had 21 against Boston last week.