Grizzlies Need Rare Win vs Celtics to Bolster Playoff Hopes

Memphis has lost eight straight meetings with the Celtics, bad news for a Grizzlies squad that still hasn’t clinched a spot in the play-in tournament for the West’s final postseason berth. However, Boston could choose to limit some of its starters with third place in the East already locked up. 

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

If you’re thinking of backing the Grizzlies in this one, you might be better off playing them on the moneyline than taking the points. Memphis has failed to cover the spread in any of its last 14 losses as an underdog, including a 119-95 defeat on January 22 in Boston.

Boston News & Notes

With the Celtics controlling Memphis’ first-round pick in next year’s draft, some have speculated Boston should play its stars more on Tuesday in an effort to further hurt the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes.

Head coach Brad Stevens has told reporters that won’t influence how he hands out the minutes with his team already locked into third in the East, and it’s possible that Gordon Hayward, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown see less court time than usual. Boston may also choose to sit starting centre Daniel Theis, who is dealing with a sore foot.

However, the Celtics do have one key player who could use as much work as possible. Guard Kemba Walker is coming off a 1-for-9 shooting performance for four points in Sunday’s 122-119 overtime win over the Magic, and Stevens will want to get the four-time all-star back on his game before the playoffs begin. On the bright side for Boston, Walker logged 32 minutes on Sunday, the most he’s played since mid-February as he continues to work his way back from a knee injury.

Memphis News & Notes

The Grizzlies fell to 1-5 SU and ATS in the bubble Sunday with a 108-99 loss to the Raptors, but the team hardly seems dispirited as it sees its hold on eighth in the West slipping away. Memphis led 25-20 after one quarter and staged a furious rally in the fourth quarter to nearly erase a 17-point deficit before running out of gas.

“I’m proud of our guys. Tough-fought game … I thought our guys brought it today,” head coach Taylor Jenkins told the Associated Press.

Memphis enters Tuesday with a half-game lead over Portland and a full-game bulge over Phoenix and San Antonio for eighth place in the West. In order to hold onto eighth and earn double-elimination status in the play-in for the final postseason berth, the Grizzlies need better production from likely rookie of the year Ja Morant. The point guard missed 12 of his 19 shots against Toronto, the third time in six bubble games that he’s shot worse than 37 percent from the field.

Betting Pick: UNDER 224.5

Ja Morant looks like he may be wearing down, his teammates may play tight offensively under the playoff pressure and Boston will likely limit the minutes of its top offensive players.