The Boston Celtics (50-31) head to the FedExForum Sunday to play the Memphis Grizzlies (56-25) in their regular-season finales. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Celtics vs. Grizzlies odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Boston can clinch the Atlantic Division with a win Sunday whereas the Southwest Division champion Grizzlies are locked into the 2-seed in the Western Conference.
The Celtics had their 3-game winning streak snapped Thursday in a 127-121 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Grizzlies clubbed the New Orleans Pelicans 141-114 Saturday to end a 2-game losing skid.
Boston stomped Memphis 120-107 at home as 2-point favorites without second-leading scorer SF Jaylen Brown March 3. The Celtics are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 visits to Memphis.
Celtics at Grizzlies odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:44 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Celtics -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Grizzlies +170 (bet $100 to win $170)
- Against the spread: Celtics -5.5 (-105) | Grizzlies +5.5 (-120)
- Over/Under: 224.5 (O: -115 | U: -117)
Celtics at Grizzlies key injuries
Celtics
- PF Robert Williams III (knee) out
Grizzlies (not yet submitted)
- None
[tipico]
Celtics at Grizzlies odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Celtics 119, Grizzlies 107
Money line
PASS.
There’s no way the Celtics (-225) should be this big of a favorite over the Grizzlies (+170) in Memphis unless the oddsmakers or market has a hunch Memphis will be resting a couple of its starters.
You could argue it’s worth it to take a flier on the Grizzlies (+170) in hopes of them sending out their usual starting 5. But, it doesn’t feel like that’ll happen and even if it does the Celtics can still smoke the Grizzlies in Memphis. PASS.
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Against the spread
BET the CELTICS -5.5 (-105) because the odds suggest the Grizzlies +5.5 (-120) will treat this like a preseason game whereas Boston should be trying to get a win.
The Celtics can win the division in coach Ime Udoka’s first year on the job, which is a nice boost of confidence for the locker room.
Also, Boston gets a much easier first-round playoff matchup with a win over Memphis. The Chicago Bulls, who have been sputtering down the stretch, are are the 6-seed in the East while the surging Toronto Raptors are the 5-seed.
Finally, this is a very profitable spot for the Celtics who are 12-7 ATS as 5-to-7-point favorites, 15-7 ATS as road favorites with a plus-7.3 ATS margin and 15-4 ATS on the road versus teams with a winning record.
BET the CELTICS -5.5 (-110).
Over/Under
PASS because my numbers align closely with the market’s projected total and we still don’t know who’s going to officially suit up for the Grizzlies.
Despite my prediction, the only way I’d get down on the total is by taking the Over because Boston 10-1 O/U in the last 11 games versus winning teams and the Over has cashed in 24 of the last 30 Celtics-Grizzlies meetings, including 3 straight.
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