Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics Game Preview
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WHO: Boston Celtics (50-31, 23-17 away) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (56-25, 30-10 home)
WHEN: 6:00 PM CT
WHERE: FedExForum in Memphis, TN
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN: TNT/92.9 FM ESPN Memphis
BETTING INFORMATION (per DraftKings) – Grizzlies +6.5; O/U 228.5
INJURY REPORT:
MEMPHIS: Ja Morant (Questionable, knee management), Santi Aldama (Questionable, Non-Covid Illness), Tyrell Terry (Out, foot), Killian Tillie (Out, knee), Jarrett Culver (Out, knee)
BOSTON: Nik Stauskas (OUT, Ankle), Robert Williams (Out, Knee)
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUPS:
MEMPHIS: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams
BOSTON: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Grant Williams
The Memphis Grizzlies 2021-2022 season feels adore it commenced simply weeks in the past, and yet, we’ve got now reached the very last recreation of the normal season.
The Grizzlies welcome the Boston Celtics to FedExForum for the season finale, a finale that, at the least for the Grizzlies, has greater which means as a final song-up for the playoffs greater than it’s miles large for playoff seeding or something else.
However, simply due to the fact the Grizzlies may not have something tangible to play for in phrases of these 12 months, they still do have a bit of cause to be stimulated to get the win on Sunday.
For one, they may be attempting to set a new franchise file for regular-season wins, surpassing the overall of 56 sets via the 2012-2013 Grizzles. And for a way unique this season has been thus far for Memphis, if the roster wants to move all out, within reason, to achieve that report, they sincerely must take delivery of a danger to accomplish that. In the case of Ja Morant, he ought to play at least a bit on Sunday for statistical functions. For Morant to formally be on stat leaderboards for this season. Playing in 58 general games, with Sunday being his 58th sport, would be crucial.
Meanwhile, the Celtics absolutely do have something to play for. In an Eastern Conference playoff photograph that has been tight for months, many groups’ playoff seeding still matters. As a result, the Celtics will probably be treating this as a normal recreation, with a clean need to win.
The laugh aspect is that, within the instances of both the Celtics and the Grizzlies, lovers at FedExForum get to witness the great teams considering that 2022 arrived. They may even get to witness a coaching matchup among two of the maximum valid candidates for Coach of the Year in Ime Udoka and Taylor Jenkins.
While many Grizzlies regulars won’t play, we’ve already seen evidence that Memphis can nonetheless really get the win with their depth. Here are a few ways they are able to be successful in opposition to Boston:
Finding the Best Shot Possible
It isn’t a lot of a debate that the Boston Celtics have basically been the NBA’s first-rate protective crew considering that January. Even without Robert Williams, the Celtics lead the NBA in points allowed in step with sport and 2PFG% allowed. As a result, especially after a nighttime wherein the Grizzlies had been capable of rating at will, locating success inside the lane will probably be extremely difficult.
As a result, the Grizzlies will want to take care of the ball and make green passes. The Grizzlies have persevered to improve their selection making and passing as a whole as the season has improved, and each little bit of that capacity might be needed to discover the first-rate shot possible on each possession. Even if Ja Morant and Tyus Jones have been to play sparingly, the Grizzlies have proven the ability to nevertheless be successful on offense. Dedication from the entire roster is an ought to earn a victory.
Seizing the Opportunity
Overall, the Grizzlies playoff rotation is probably set. However, there still is a possibility for one or gamers to completely offer motives as to why they need to be a part of the rotation. Zaire Williams, Kyle Anderson, and John Konchar all will likely play at some point in the playoffs. But to what at volume? A huge offensive recreation against a high-quality protective group and Eastern Conference contender inside the Celtics could absolutely assist the case of these people. While all of us is aware of the Grizzlies’ intensity is ready to deliver whilst referred to as upon, one remaining point of evidence is in no way a bad element.
Once once more, the Memphis Grizzlies have already earned the right to make this a possibility to rest and loosen up. However, for a team that appears to rewrite records on every occasion they play, getting the franchise document for wins in a season seems like sufficient motivation to win. Even if several of the regulars take a seat out or play for very few minutes. The Grizzlies should very an awful lot deliver Boston all they can cope with, just like they did against Phoenix 9 days in the past.
Can records be made yet again? We shall see, and if so, it will actually stop the excellent ordinary season in franchise history at the first-class be aware feasible.
