The red-hot Boston Celtics (37-27) and Memphis Grizzlies (43-20) will square off Thursday at TD Garden with each seeking their ninth win in their last 11 games. Tip-off in Boston will be at 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Grizzlies vs. Celtics odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Grizzlies are third in the West, 7.5 games behind conference-leading Phoenix. They’ve won eight of their last 10 games, in large part thanks to stellar play from G Ja Morant. Morant has scored 98 points in his last two games and has been dominating since the All-Star break. The Grizzlies are the best rebounding team in the NBA, averaging 49.3 per game, and they’re scoring at a higher clip than all but two teams (113.9 per game).
The Celtics lost by 21 points as 9.5-point favorites Sunday against the Pacers, but they bounced back nicely by beating the Hawks 107-98 despite playing most of the game without SG Jaylen Brown. The Celtics have been great defensively all year, allowing the third-fewest points per game (103.8) and the lowest field goal percentage (43.0%) in the NBA,
Grizzlies at Celtics 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 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Grizzlies +120 (bet $100 to win $110) | Celtics -145 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Grizzlies +2.5 (-108) | Celtics -2.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Grizzlies at Celtics key injuries
Grizzlies
- SG Dillon Brooks (ankle) out
- SG John Konchar (ankle) questionable
- SF Yves Pons (thigh) out
Celtics
- SG Jaylen Brown (ankle) out
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Grizzlies at Celtics odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Grizzlies 111, Celtics 108
Money line
As well as the Celtics are playing right now, Morant and the Grizzlies are scorching hot. PG Marcus Smart presents a tough defensive matchup for Morant, but the talented young point guard is still going to get his share of opportunities and with the way he’s been shooting it, he’ll carry Memphis once again.
I like the GRIZZLIES (+110) to win outright against the short-handed Celtics.
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Against the spread
When playing on the road against teams above .500 this season, the Grizzlies are 9-5 ATS and 15-10 ATS overall against teams with winning records. The Celtics are just 7-7-1 ATS when hosting teams above .500.
The Grizzlies are only getting points in this matchup because they’re on the road and they’ve been the better team this season. I like the GRIZZLIES +2.5 (-115).
Over/Under
With the way the Celtics are playing defensively and this matchup between Smart and Morant, this could be a lower-scoring game than expected. Brown being out also doesn’t help, which is why I’m taking the UNDER 223.5 (-112).
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