Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Two of the NBA’s form sides clash on Saturday night as Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies head to the defending champions.

The Boston Celtics are 9-1 across their last 10 games, leaving them second in the Eastern Conference behind Cleveland. Memphis sit fourth in a difficult West with an 8-2 record across their last 10.

Can the Grizzlies enhance a strong run in spite of injuries by claiming a victory at TD Garden?

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics betting picks and predictions

Boston Celtics -6.5 (-110)

While the Grizzlies are flying high in the West, their record away from home is a concern ahead of this trip. Memphis are 4-5 on the road this term, while Boston is 10-2 on home court so far.

However, away form isn’t the only thing to cause alarm for the Grizzlies going into this game. Their weaknesses look perfectly tailored to Boston’s strengths, which should see the champions run away with Saturday’s matchup.

The Grizzlies allow an average of 39.6 three-point attempts per game, more than all but three other sides in the league. That tactic tends to work given that they are better than average defensively in terms of opponents’ made three-pointers and shooting percentage from deep, but the Celtics will exploit that.

Boston leads the league in both three-point attempts and makes, recording 51 and 19 per night, respectively. The champions also rank second in free-throw percentage, while Memphis send teams to the line more often than almost any other side.

This game looks set up for easy buckets for the Celtics, while Memphis is expected to be without center Zach Edey, plus depth options GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. As a result, the Celtics should comfortably cover the 6.5-point spread.

Jaren Jackson Jr over 18.5 points (-115)

While Ja Morant’s return has boosted the Grizzlies following a down year in 2023/24, the all-action point guard isn’t their top scorer this season. Morant is putting up some fantastic assist numbers, allowing Jaren Jackson Jr to lead Memphis in scoring.

The forward is averaging 21.7 points per game and there’s little reason that number should drop on Saturday. Jackson Jr is doing his best work in the paint - averaging six field goals and 4.6 made free throws per night.

The Celtics are 29th in the league in terms of two-point attempts faced and 23 in made shots from the paint. Their big concern for the playoffs remains a lack of a defensively-minded athletic wing to guard players like Jackson Jr, so back the former Defensive Player of the Year to maintain his impressive numbers at the other end.

Ja Morant over 4.5 rebounds (-115)

While the Celtics are getting plenty of joy from their tactic of ignoring the midrange, their lack of numbers in the paint has left them 19th in terms of offensive rebounds.

The Celtics have one of the league’s worst rates when it comes to opposition defensive rebounds, sitting 22nd in that metric. While the champions’ height does seem to lend itself to cleaning up on the boards, missing 20+ shots per night from the perimeter does leave their opponents with easy rebounds to collect from wayward threes.

As a result, Morant is fancied to boost his average of four rebounds per game, the large majority of which come on the defensive end.

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Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics odds

Memphis Grizzlies	+210 ML
Boston Celtics	-260 ML
Spread	Celtics -6.5
Total Points	O/U 238.0

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics player props

Player Points

Jayson Tatum (BOS Celtics)	O/U 26.5
Jaylen Brown (BOS Celtics)	O/U 24.5
Ja Morant (MEM Grizzlies)	O/U 20.5
Jaren Jackson Jr (MEM Grizzlies)	O/U 18.5
Kristaps Porzingis (BOS Celtics)	O/U 17.5
Derrick White (BOS Celtics)	O/U 14.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.