The Boston Celtics (55-19) will visit the Memphis Grizzlies (44-30) in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. The game will broadcast live on TNT.
The Celtics are 5-point favorites over the Grizzlies on the spread, with the over/under set at 236.5 total points. Boston is a -198 favorite to win outright, while Memphis is +164 to pull off the upset.
Let's get to my Celtics vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks for Monday, March 31.
Celtics vs Grizzlies Prediction
My Grizzlies vs. Celtics best bet is on Boston to cover the spread, with the best odds available at Fanatics. But as always, make sure to shop for the best line using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Celtics -5 (-110)
Celtics vs Grizzlies Betting Odds, Picks
| Celtics Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -110 | 236.5 -110o / -110u | -198 |
| Grizzlies Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -110 | 236.5 -110o / -110u | +164 |
- Celtics vs. Grizzliesspread: Celtics -5
- Celtics vs. Grizzliesover/under: 236.5 total points
- Celtics vs. Grizzliesmoneyline: Celtics -198, Grizzlies +164
- Celtics vs. Grizzliesbest bet: Celtics -5 (-110)
Boston Celtics vs Memphis Grizzlies NBA Preview
The Celtics face off against the Grizzlies on Monday night in a game between two teams that are looking toward the playoffs. The Celtics are more secure in their positioning at this point, while the Grizzlies have been reeling of late.
The Grizzlies made waves over the last week in the NBA by firing their coach, Taylor Jenkins. This was a fairly unprecedented firing with less than a month until the playoffs start. They have struggled since the All-Star break, though, with a record of just 8-12 and a -0.5 Net Rating, now sitting fifth in the Western Conference after a red-hot start.
They are in the opposite place from the Celtics, who have been cruising after the break with a 16-3 record and a +10 Net Rating, per NBA Advanced Stats. Both of these teams are coming into this game relatively healthy, with Brandon Clarke being out for the Grizzlies and Jaylen Brown (knee) listed as questionable. This is a good test for both teams as they look forward to the playoffs.
One of the key things we should expect to change with the Grizzlies is Zach Edey's minutes and Ja Morant's ability to run pick and roll, as well as the screens being set for him. Edey played a near season-high 28 minutes in his first game without Jenkins, and Morant took 23 field goal attempts and had 10 assists on 15 potentials. He had a monstrous 39% usage rate, beating out his season average of 34%.
Morant has also thrived in this matchup, going over his 34.5 PRA line in four straight games against Boston with 49, 47, 38, and 50 PRA, and he has also cleared this mark in 8 of 10 games, with the two misses at 33 PRA. I'm expecting a big game for Morant.
One of the stylistic issues for Memphis here is that they thrive in transition offense, but that's where Boston absolutely locks down teams — Boston has the best transition defense in the NBA. On the flip side, Memphis does not limit three-point attempts, which is where Boston thrives.
The Celtics are cooking right now, and Memphis is struggling of late. Even though Memphis took care of business against the Celtics back in December, Brandon Clarke played a massive role in that game, and the Celtics were without Al Horford.
One of the quirks in that game was that Jrue Holiday took an absurd number of threes and was an abysmal 4-for-17 from three-point range despite scoring 23 points — we’ll have to see if they redeploy that strategy and make Jrue beat them.
I expect a better performance from Boston tonight than in that December game, where Tatum was also just 1-for-10 from beyond the arc. I'll lay the points with Boston against a reeling Memphis team.
Celtics vs Grizzlies Betting Prediction
- Celtics -5 (-110)
Celtics vs Grizzlies Parlay Picks
- Ja Morant Over 35.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists
- Zach Edey 10+ Points
- Zach Edey 10+ Rebounds
- Kristaps Porzingis 3+ Threes Made
- Jrue Holiday 3+ Threes Made
Parlay Payout: +5500
