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The Boston Celtics host the Memphis Grizzlies in what should be one of the best interconference matchups of the season. It's time to continue our NBA odds series with a Grizzlies-Celtics prediction and pick.
The Memphis Grizzlies have won their last two games in a row against the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. They are (43-20) on the season which is good for 3rd in the West and have a huge test in front of them. The Boston Celtics are extremely good on the defensive side of the floor right now. They just held the Atlanta Hawks to 33 second-half points last game. Boston is (37-27) on the year and is inching closer to the top of the Eastern Conference Standings. With a win tonight, they will jump the Cleveland Cavaliers for 5th in the East.
Here are the Grizzlies-Celtics NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Celtics Odds
Memphis Grizzlies: +2.5 (-110)
Boston Celtics: -2.5 (-110)
Over: 223.5 (-108)
Under: 223.5 (-112)
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Why The Grizzlies Could Cover The Spread
Memphis has a good chance tonight because the Celtics will be without Jaylen Brown. Brown injured his ankle against the Hawks and didn't return to the game. Head coach Ime Udoka said that Brown's ankle isn't serious and he should only be out a few days. The Grizzlies will need to contain Jayson Tatum as he went off in the win over the Hawks. Tatum is 9th in the NBA in scoring at 25.9 points per game. With Brown out, he will likely try and shoot the ball more often and this could be one of those games where he and Ja Morant go back-and-forth all night long. Tatum has reached at least 24 points in all four of his games since the All-Star break.
On the offensive end, Morant will need to continue to do what he does because he is coming off of a magical performance. The young star scored 52 points in the win over the Spurs and he looked like the top point guard in the NBA on that night. I wouldn't dare rank him over Steph Curry, but there is a lot of things Morant can do that Steph can not. Anyway, Morant is feeling good right now and the Grizzlies are feeding off of his energy. If Morant is playing well, I like the Grizzlies' chances of covering this spread on the road.
Why The Celtics Could Cover The Spread
The Celtics will need to win this game on the defensive end, per usual. It's going to be tough to score consistently without Jaylen Brown, who averages 23.5 points per game this season. Marcus Smart will be a huge factor tonight because the Celtics will need him defensively, as well as on the offensive side of the floor. Smart came up with a huge game-saving block in the win over the Hawks, and that showed how crucial he is to this team. The C's are third in the NBA in points per game allowed at 103.8 but have allowed less than 100 points in a game many times this season. Smart will be on Morant all night long and it's going to be interesting to see how Morant attacks the Celtics.
Derrick White played his best game as a Celtic against the Hawks. He went on his own run where he scored seven straight points to extend the Celtics lead late in the game. He finished with 18 points as well as Grant Williams, who is one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA right now. The 6-foot-7 power forward drains threes from the corner and is a huge reason why the Celtics are one of the hottest teams in the NBA. Every player I have mentioned for the Celtics is also very good on the defensive side of the floor. That is why the Celtics dominate everyone right now because of their ability to defend. If the Celtics want to cover this spread at home, it will be because of their defense.
Final Grizzlies-Celtics Prediction & Pick
I think not having Brown is a problem for the Celtics tonight. I believe Tatum will play well I just don't think it will be enough. The Celtics would find a way to win against many other opponents, but not against this elite Grizzlies team. I expect Morant to be everywhere tonight and the only one who can stop that is Marcus Smart. Take the Grizzlies to cover this spread on the road.
Final Grizzlies-Celtics Pick: Grizzlies +2.5 (-110)
