Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics 3/3/22: Starting Lineups, Matchup Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics Matchup Preview (3/3/22)

Ja Morant will look to add to his impressive 2021-22 NBA season when the Memphis Grizzlies travel to Boston and battle an equally hot Celtics team. The Celtics were able to squeeze out a narrow home win against the Atlanta Hawks, despite losing Jaylen Brown within the first couple minutes of the game. There is a strong likelihood of Brown missing this game due to that ankle sprain, so the C’s will have to heavily rely on Jayson Tatum offensively. Luckily, Boston has implemented a defensive-minded culture where it can still get by despite being without Brown.

Meanwhile, Memphis has been the hottest team in basketball recently, going 8-2 in its past ten games and shooting over 47% from the field and 36% from behind the arc. It also went from having one of the worst defenses early in the season to being a solid unit on that end of the floor. The Grizzlies rank seventh in defensive efficiency and 12th in opponent eFG% (effective field goal percentage.) Additionally, Ja Morant has played like an MVP, dropping 52 and 46 points in his past two games. If Morant continues his explosive play, then the Grizzlies could steal a road win against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Under the betting odds section, you can find my picks and predictions for this matchup, so make sure to check it out!

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics Betting Odds

With the way Ja Morant has played in the past two games, I’m not sure there is a team in the NBA that can beat the Grizzlies at the moment. Morant has been superhuman in every way, and it rubs off on the rest of the Memphis players. While it is hard to imagine the Celtics losing right now, being without Jaylen Brown hurts a lot. It did not show in the second half against Atlanta, but I think it will against Memphis. I would assume Memphis will be a slight road favorite, and I love anything three points or better for the Grizzlies against the spread.

How To Watch

Date: 3/3/22
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Arena: TD Garden – Boston, MA
Channel: TNT

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Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineup

PG: Ja Morant
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Ziaire Williams
PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
C: Steven Adams

Memphis Grizzlies Analysis

If you had told me before the start of the 2021-22 NBA season that the Memphis Grizzlies would be third in the Western Conference with a real possibility to finish second, I would not have believed you. It has nothing to do with my lack of belief in the roster or its talent; I just thought it would have taken the Grizzlies longer to become such a contender in a top-heavy league. Since January 1st, they have averaged 118 points on 47% from the field with an offensive rating of 116.9; that places them at fifth in the NBA on that end of the floor. Additionally, Memphis has the fourth-lowest (best) defensive rating in the NBA during that span. Assuming that the Grizzlies can stay healthy for the remainder of the season, they have a legitimate possibility of getting to a Western Conference Finals or even an NBA Finals.

Boston Celtics Starting Lineup

PG: Marcus Smart
SG: Derrick White
SF: Jayson Tatum
PF: Robert Williams III
C: Al Horford

Boston Celtics Analysis

Boston climbed back from a massive deficit against Atlanta and grabbed a critical home win. Its struggles started when Jaylen Brown went down with an ankle injury just a few minutes into the game and could not return. Then, Trae Young got red hot, and it rubbed off on the rest of the Hawks’ players. However, Boston’s grit is quite impressive, and it got some solid performances from role players like Marcus Smart, Derrick White, and Grant Williams, who all scored between 16 and 18 points. It is a huge positive that the Celtics were able to secure that win, but they will need to play somewhat flawlessly to beat the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics Daily Fantasy Picks

Suppose there were not so many phenomenal individual seasons from guys such as Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, DeMar DeRozan, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. In that case, Ja Morant could have very likely been the 2021-22 NBA MVP. It is still not out of the realm of possibility, but there is so much against him now; everyone knows that narrative rules all in this league. It will likely be Joel Embiid’s time to win the MVP unless Jokic plays even better than he already is playing; however, you never honestly know. Still, this season, Morant has been unfathomably good, posting roughly 28 points, seven assists, and six rebounds per game. Morant answered the call on improving his shooting so that his offensive game did not stay one-dimensional, too. He has shot 50% from the field and 34.4% from behind the arc! Additionally, Morant is fresh off two impossibly good games of 52 and 46 points and also dropped 44 points on February 16th against the Portland Trail Blazers. I’m not saying that it is irresponsible not to plug Ja Morant into your DFS lineups; however, all the evidence is there for you to do it.

Jaylen Brown will likely miss this game after he sprained his ankle three minutes into the game on Tuesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. If that is the case, then Jayson Tatum automatically becomes a necessary play. Tatum has been on fire recently, posting roughly 28 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in his past 18 games. Tatum has had games of 51, 38, 38, 36, and 33 points during that span. Additionally, it is no surprise that the Celtics have played equally well, winning 14 of those games. Without Jaylen Brown on the floor, Tatum should easily find himself dropping 30 points and snagging ten rebounds.