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The Boston Celtics will pay a visit to FedExForum to take on the Memphis on Sunday night. With that said, it’s a good time to check out our NBA odds series, which includes our Celtics-Grizzlies prediction, odds, and pick we have laid out below.
Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics lost their most recent outing, 127-121 to the Milwaukee Bucks. With Jayson Tatum sitting out, Marcus Smart led the way for the Celtics with 29 points and seven assists. Jaylen Brown and Daniel Theis both added 22 points each for Boston.
Ja Morant made his return and led the Grizzlies to a 141-114 blowout of the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. The All-Star guard scored 21 points and added nine assists. Dillon Brooks scored a team-high 23 points to lead six total Grizzlies in double-figures. The Grizzlies showed why they're serious contenders in the West as they set a franchise-record 55 points in the third quarter alone.
Here is how Fanduel has set the Celtics-Grizzlies NBA odds for this Sunday night NBA matchup.
NBA Odds: Celtics-Grizzlies Odds
Boston Celtics: -5 (-114)
Memphis Grizzlies: +5 (-106)
Over: 225 (-110)
Under: 225 (-110)
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Why the Celtics could cover the spread
A Celtics win and a Bucks loss would secure them the no. 2 seed and open up a possible match-up versus Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. If they lose and the Philadelphia 76ers win their season finale, they will fall to 4th, where they will take on the Toronto Raptors. There have been rumors on some of the Celtics players' vaccination status, putting them in peril of playing in Toronto, where vaccine mandates are in place. With these scenarios in place, there is a lot of incentive for Boston to go for the win.
And their injury report is indicative of their intention to do so. Boston will be at near full strength for their season finale against the Grizzlies. Jayson Tatum sat out Thursday's game against the Bucks but is not on the injured list for Sunday. Only Robert Williams (left knee meniscus tear) and Nik Stauskas (right ankle sprain) are out.
The Celtics could also use this game to enter the postseason with some kind of momentum. They could treat this as a playoff simulation, which could help them cover the spread, where they are 43-35 on the season.
Why the Grizzlies could cover the spread
The Grizzlies don't really have much incentive to play for this game as they are pretty much locked into the two-seed in the West. Nonetheless, that didn't stop them from romping the New Orleans Pelicans last night and setting a franchise-record 55 points in the third quarter.
This young and gritty Grizzlies squad seems like it carries a huge chip on its shoulder. With that said, they might just come out and go for a statement win over one of the best teams in the NBA since the All-Star break in the Boston Celtics. Ja Morant also just came back from a nine-game absence and looked as good as ever. The Grizzlies could use this game as a playoff preview of sorts to get one step in the door before the postseason commences. If they go that route, there is a good chance they could cover the 5-point spread, where they are at a league-best 51-28 on the season.
The Grizzlies have yet to release its injury report, so there's no indication yet as to how they'll approach their regular-season finale. Nonetheless, everyone was available for their game against the Pelicans the previous night.
Final Celtics-Grizzlies Prediction & Pick
The Celtics should be the pick here. A lot more is on the line for them in terms of playoff seedings. And the fact that nearly everyone is available is a good indication that they are gunning for the no. 2 seed in the East.
Final Celtics-Grizzlies Prediction & Pick: Celtics: -5 (-114)
