Celtics vs. Grizzlies Predictions, Picks & Odds: NBA on TNT, Today 3/31

There’s no doubt that the Memphis Grizzlies were the most polarizing NBA team heading into the weekend with their head coach firing, which led up to their Saturday night loss to the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. They now host the Boston Celtics, which means we’ve got out Celtics vs. Grizzlies predictions for you.
Below, you’ll also find the best bet from our Celtics vs. Grizzlies picks PLUS a unique 10-part Caesars Sportsbook sign up bonus!
Celtics vs. Grizzlies Predictions For NBA on TNT, 3/31
With how up-and-down the Grizzlies’ season has been, especially recently, this may not be the most likely NBA Finals matchup, but it’s also not the most far-fetched. We saw it back in early December, which was actually an upset win for Memphis.
Ja Morant posted 32 points and was just a single assist and rebound shy of a triple-double in the win, which was a game where he and the Grizz were significant 7.5-point underdogs. While Boston certainly has the talent to pull off big wins, even on the road, oddsmakers often inflate their point spreads given so much success in recent seasons.
For example, it was just Saturday night where Boston grabbed a 10-point road victory, but still didn’t cover the 12.5-point spread. With how polarizing they’ve been in that regard, the best bet from our Celtics vs. Grizzlies predictions is going to focus elsewhere and isolate just a portion of the game.
Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum’s Return
It wasn’t long ago that the debate was whether or not the Celtics should just shut down Jayson Tatum in preparation for the playoffs after injuring his ankle against the Sacramento Kings (an 18-point road win). However, the superstar ended up missing just one game, which was a 132-102 road win over Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns.
Those type of results without Jayson Tatum would actually further suggest that they could live without him heading into the postseason. Instead, the team must want him to keep up the momentum into the playoffs, as he was right back on the court leading the team with 29 points on Saturday night over the San Antonio Spurs.
Memphis Grizzlies: Rejuvenated Ja
Jayson Tatum isn’t the only superstar on the court in this matchup. While the big storyline for Memphis recently was firing former head coach Taylor Jenkins, it’s also about Ja Morant being healthy and trying to provide a spark for an inconsistent Memphis squad. Although it wasn’t enough for a win over the Lakers, Morant still looked explosive.
He truly looked rejuvenated en route to 22 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds. That’s just as close to a triple-double as when he faced the Celtics earlier this season, and he’s going to need another similar performance to take down the defending champs tonight. Perhaps being under the bright lights of an NBA on TNT doubleheader will get him over the edge.
Celtics vs. Grizzlies Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines
We’ve referenced Boston’s significant point spreads this season, and the Celtics vs. Grizzlies odds at Caesars Sportsbook have them as road favorites once again:
- Point Spread: Boston Celtics -4.5 (-115) vs. Memphis Grizzlies +4.5 (-105)
- Money Line: Boston Celtics (-198) vs. Memphis Grizzlies (+153)
- Game Total (Over/Under): Over 235.5 (-110) vs. Under 235.5 (-110)
Celtics vs. Grizzlies Best Bet: First Half Over 121 Points (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook)
Now, let’s finally get into the best bet from our Celtics vs. Grizzlies predictions. Thankfully, you won’t have to wait long for it to play out, as we’re isolating the first half of the game. In that regard, we’re expecting points early and often.
Right from the jump, these are two of the highest-scoring teams early in games. That’s been a trend that we’ve seen from Boston for a few seasons now, and with a healthy Ja Morant, much of the same should be expected from Memphis. In terms of first half points per game, the Grizzlies and Celtics rank fourth and fifth in the NBA, respectively.
The pushback here would be Boston’s great first-half defense as well. However, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies have proven to be one of the teams that can break through that defense, as they had that aforementioned lead at halftime earlier this year by scoring an impressive 66 points in the first two quarters.
As for Memphis’ defense in the first half, it’s safe to say that the Celtics can do their part; Memphis allows the sixth-most points per game in that regard. We just saw the Lakers put up 72 points in the first half against them, so recent results suggest more of the same.
So, let’s root for points early and often and lock in the best bet from our Celtics vs. Grizzlies predictions on the first half over 121 points (-110 at Caesars Sportsbook).
Celtics vs. Grizzlies Injury Report & Starting Lineups
We mentioned a healthy Ja Morant; therefore, the big absence for Memphis remains Brandon Clarke being out for the rest of the season. Of course, Jayson Tatum’s return was the big news for Boston, as was Kristaps Porzingis’ return not long ago. However, Al Horford did miss Saturday’s game against the Spurs.
With so many stars healthy, the starting lineups for Celtics vs. Grizzlies tonight are loaded:
BOS Celtics:
- Jrue Holiday
- Derrick White
- Jaylen Brown
- Jayson Tatum
- Kristaps Porzingis
MEM Grizzlies:
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Player News
Buddy Hield had 15 points (5-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Hield moved into the Warriors’ starting lineup in the first round and the team became somewhat reliant on his scoring. With Stephen Curry (hamstring) out in Game 2, Hield started and played 29 minutes. The 32-year-old shooting guard led the Warriors in field goal attempts, though no one in a Golden State uniform was able to reach 20 points. The Warriors weren’t able to overcome a double-digit first half deficit. Despite the four made three-pointers, they’re going to need more from Hield as the series shifts to Golden State, especially if Curry remains out.
Jimmy Butler had 17 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, one steal and two three-pointers against the Timberwolves in Game 2 on Thursday.
Butler couldn’t get it done without Stephen Curry (hamstring) on the road in Game 2. The Warriors fell behind by double-digits early and never recovered. Butler had 17 points on 13 shots, which wasn’t far off from the 20 points he had in Game 1. Still, the Warriors have to regroup as they head home for Games 3 and 4 as they try to figure out a way to keep this series close until Curry can return to the court.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had 20 points (7-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Alexander-Walker was a key scorer off the bench in Game 2. He, Naz Reid and Donte DiVencenzo combined for 10 made three-pointers off the bench. In a game where the Warriors were desperate for scoring without Stephen Curry (hamstring), those bench points were too much to overcome as the Timberwolves won by 24 points.
Julius Randle had 24 points (10-of-17 FGs), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one three-pointer in Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Randle led the Timberwolves in scoring in the Game 2 victory. The 30-year-old power forward was just three rebounds away from a triple-double. He was a steadying presence in his 33 minutes as Anthony Edwards dealt with an ankle injury towards the end of the first half. Edwards recovered from his injury to play 34 minutes, but Randle is still the next most important player in this series for the Timberwolves.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points (6-of-13 FGs), nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, one block and two three-pointers in the Timberwolves’ 117-93 victory over the Warriors in Game 2 on Thursday.
Edwards appeared to suffer a sprained left ankle towards the end of the second quarter as the Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on his foot. Edwards turned the same ankle in the first round against the Lakers and appeared to re-aggravate the injury. The 23-year-old shooting guard would go on to start the second half and play a team-high 34 minutes in the Game 2 victory. Edwards will only have one full day off before the series resumes in Golden State for Game 3 on Saturday.
Warriors will start Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quinten Post in Game 2 against the Timberwolves on Thursday.
No surprise here as Curry was always a long shot to make it back for Game 2 after leaving Game 1 with hamstring injury. While there has been a report that the 37-year-old point guard is expected to miss a week, there is no firm timetable for his return. The Warriors will go big with their starting lineup for Game 2 with center Quinten Post entering the lineup in Curry’s absence.