Celtics Vs. Grizzlies

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS: · MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams · BOSTON: Derrick White, Sam Hauser, Jayson Tatum, ...

Even with their road struggles this season, the Grizzlies have a chance against a short handed Boston team if they continue playing their brand of basketball. Currently the Grizzlies are 21st in three pointers made, 23rd in percentage, and are dead last in free throw percentage this season. The main issue has been their perimeter defense and inability to stop teams from hitting threes. One theme across the Western Conference has been struggles on the road. Follow Grizzly Bear Blues on [Twitter and](http://twitter.com/sbngrizzlies) Brooks will be looking to make up for his last matchup with Tatum, where he ended up fouling out. Jayson Tatum enters today’s game looking to build momentum after a 41-point performance against the Hornets. He’s currently 3rd in three point percentage and is currently 19-20 on free throws this season. As for injuries, Boston will be without All-Star Jaylen Brown and reigning DPOY Marcus Smart, two of the Celtics most important players. Ja Morant sees the Celtics as the “team to beat” this season, so expect a playoff level intensity in Boston. Here are some key players, matchups, and trends to watch for in what should be an exciting game. [Memphis Grizzlies](https://www.grizzlybearblues.com) (34-21, 11-16 road) vs.

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Memphis Grizzlies at Boston Celtics on February 12. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

[Cleaning the Glass](https://cleaningtheglass.com/). One is the combined presence of [Jaren Jackson Jr.](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/5573/jaren-jackson-jr.) and [Robert Williams III](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/5502/robert-williams-iii). While [Ja Morant](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/players/4836/ja-morant) has been dynamite recently, the overall Memphis offense has been playing at a Bottom-10 level. [Grizzlies](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/teams/main/memphis-grizzlies) and the [Celtics](https://www.covers.com/sport/basketball/nba/teams/main/boston-celtics) are two of the Top 5 defenses in the NBA, which is why this total opened at a seemingly-low 229.5. That’s seen the Under go 8-3 in Boston’s last 11 games after allowing 100 points or more in the previous game. That’s contributed to the Under going 5-1 in Grizzlies' last six games on the road, as well as 9-2 in their last 11 overall. As of right now, they’re Bottom-6 in 3-point attempt rate, which reduces the variability of their offense quite a bit. While I consider both the Grizzlies and Celtics to be legitimate contenders for the title this season, there’s really no question as to who has been playing better basketball recently. Matinee games are notoriously slow, sluggish affairs, and the reason is quite simple. That’s why players like Williams and Jackson are so valuable and can have such a massive impact on the game despite being low-scoring players themselves. Their mere presence would make me strongly favor the Under, but the other key factor is when this game is taking place. Because teams are valuing spacing more than ever, there are more frequent and better opportunities to score at the rim than ever before.