The Memphis Grizzlies play the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden on January 22, 2020.
The Grizzlies are trying to get back on track after the New Orleans Pelicans ended their seven-game winning run. Memphis has won 10 out of its last 14 games to burst back in playoff contention. Meanwhile, the Celtics saw their grip of the Atlantic Division taken by the Toronto Raptors after the Celtics lost six of eight games. Boston delivered a statement win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday to snap a three-game losing streak.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ seven-game winning streak ended at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans last Monday. The Grizzlies fell behind by 20 points and their comeback came short as they dropped a 116-126 contest to the Pelicans. Despite the loss, Memphis has resurfaced in the playoff picture as they have lost just four times in their last 14 games played.
Ja Morant was held to just three first-half points against the Pelicans but finished with 16 points. Dillon Brooks scored a season-high 31 points for the Grizzlies while Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 11 boards in the losing effort. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 19 points and 6 rebounds for Memphis.
The Grizzlies are 9th in the league in scoring at 113.6 points per game this season. They are 14th in rebounding at 45.7 boards grabbed per contest and are the top passing team in the NBA at 28.0 assists per game. Memphis has the 4th worst scoring defense overall at 116.0 points per game allowed.
The Boston Celtics had started 2020 on the wrong foot. The Celtics lost six of eight games heading to their showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers last Monday. The losses included defeats to the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns at the TD Garden but the Celtics bucked the odds and dealt the Lakers their worst loss of the season.
Kemba Walker got his first career win over LeBron James after 29 tries. Walker scored 20 points and issued seven assists against the Lakers. Jayson Tatum led the scoring parade with 27 points while Jaylen Brown added 20 points and 6 rebounds. Enes Kanter had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The Celtics rank 11th in the league in scoring at 112.3 points per game and they are 4th overall in scoring defense at 105.7 opponents points given up per game. Boston is 13th in rebounding at 45.7 boards per contest and they are averaging 23.3 assists per game which is 19th overall this season.
Memphis is 7-1 SU in their last eight games played. The Grizzlies are 8-10 SU in 18 road games played this season. Boston is 3-6 SU in their last nine games played. The Celtics are 17-5 SU in 22 home games played this season, and 5-2 SU in their last seven games against the Western Conference. Head to head, Boston has won the last seven meetings between these two teams and the Celtics have taken the last five games in Boston.
Memphis saw their seven-game winning run ended by the New Orleans Pelicans last Monday. Ja Morant was held to three points in the first half of the game before scoring 13 in the final period. Despite the loss, the Grizzlies have won 10 out of their last 14 games and are back in playoff contention.
Boston is back at full strength with the return of Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown. With their lineup in full force, the Celtics handed the Lakers their worst loss of the season. With the win, the Celtics hope to build momentum as they make a push to regain the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
The Celtics have won seven consecutive games against the Grizzlies. Boston is fresh off a statement win and I think they are going to build off that victory and start a good winning streak. Memphis has been playing well in recent weeks but Boston may be too much for them right now.
Prediction: Boston Celtics
Memphis is 6-2 ATS in their last eight games played. The Grizzlies are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine games played on the road. Boston is 4-2 ATS in their last six games played. The Celtics are 12-9-1 ATS in their last 22 games played at home, 4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Southwest Division, and 4-2 ATS in their last six January games. Head to head, the Celtics are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games played against the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies
+7 (-110)
Grizzlies
-7 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 01/22/20
The Celtics have outscored the Grizzlies by an average of 7.67 points per game in their last three meetings. Boston heads to this game after picking up their biggest win of the season, a 137-109 beating of the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics have started 2020 slow but the win over the Lakers was a big one and should jumpstart this team. Memphis has been playing well as of late but Boston is the more superior team here. The Celtics are coming off their best game of the year. I think they will follow it up with another impressive home win.
Prediction: Celtics -7
The over is 5-4-1 in the last 10 games played by the Grizzlies. Memphis has seen the total go over in seven out of their last 10 games played against the Eastern Conference. The over is also 10-4 in their last 14 games against the Atlantic Division. The total has gone over in five out of the last six games played by the Celtics. The over is also 5-1 in Boston’s last six games played at home. Head to head, the total has gone over in seven out of the last eight games between these two teams.
Over
232.5 (-110)
Under
232.5 (-110)
Odds from BetOnline as of 01/22/20
Memphis has seen the total go over 230 points in five out of their last seven games played. They have scored an average of 123.2 points per game in their last nine games played. The Celtics have played past the 230 total in four out of their last six games played. Boston is averaging 122.83 points per game in their last six contests and just dropped 139 points on the Lakers in their last outing. No question Boston has the firepower to score over 120 points per game. Memphis is having a terrific offensive stretch. I think these teams will hit the over.
Prediction: Over 232.5
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