The Boston Celtics (28-14) meet the Memphis Grizzlies (20-23) at TD Garden. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports – Southeast.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 233 points with Boston opening as a 7.5-point favorite at PointsBet Sportsbook.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics ATS Prediction
The Grizzlies are hoping for a better outcome after not being able to cover as 3-point favorites in their 126-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans in their last contest. The game’s total points (242) were under the projected point total of 250.5. One of New Orleans’ biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 21-24 (87.5 percent), while the Grizzlies were 15-21 (71.4 percent). Dillon Brooks led Memphis in scoring with 31 points on 12-for-25 shooting.
In the Celtics’ previous matchup, they won big over the Los Angeles Lakers, 139-107, despite being 2.5-point underdogs. The total points for the game (246) finished well over the projected point total of 226.5. The Celtics had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 36.8 (above their season average of 23.6) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.645 (above their season average of 0.524). Jayson Tatum was the game’s leading scorer with 27 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field.
Boston should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Celtics currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while the Grizzlies rank 20th in defensive efficiency.
Memphis holds records of 20-23 straight up (SU) and 22-20-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Grizzlies games, with 22 overs compared to 21 unders.
Meanwhile, Boston is 28-14 SU and 24-17-1 ATS. It’s tough to find a trend for Celtics games in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
After the Celtics won both meetings against the Grizzlies last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Boston won 122-116. The Celtics had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 17.6) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.610 vs. 0.533).
Grizzlies at Celtics Pick
NBA Pick: ATS Winner – Grizzlies, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
Memphis ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.4) while Boston ranks 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
Boston ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (43.2) while Memphis ranks 15th (47.7).
The Celtics average 34.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The Grizzlies rank 20th in three pointers allowed per game (34.6).
Boston is 12-10 ATS at home, while Memphis is 9-8-1 ATS on the road.
In its last five contests, Memphis is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Boston is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 push over its last five games.
The Grizzlies have outscored opponents by an average of 7.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Memphis has lost by an average of 2.4 points.
During their last five games, the Celtics have scored an average of 119.4 points per game (7.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 115.0 points per game (9.3 above their season average).
