The Boston Celtics play their seventh of eight regular-season seeding games against the Memphis Grizzlies this Tuesday afternoon at 5 p.m. Eastern Time in a contest that could ultimately alter the value of the Memphis draft pick the Celtics control.
Having dropped five of their six games in the Disney ‘bubble,’ the Grizzlies could lose their grip on the eighth seed with a loss, pending the results of a game involving the Portland Trail Blazers.
With Portland ust a half-game behind Memphis — and the Phoenix Suns not far behind — falling out of the eighth slot would make their path to the Playoffs require winning two straight games in the now-unavoidable play-in game.
And if they lose the play-in tourney, Memphis would owe their pick to Boston at No. 14 — or unprotected entirely in 2021 should the Draft Lottery delivery a top-four pick.
So, the Grizzlies and Celtics both have something to play for in what would otherwise be just a glorified scrimmage game given Memphis is without several key players.
Center Jaren Jackson, Jr. is out with a torn meniscus, forward Justice Winslow with an ailing hip, and point guard Tyus Jones is out with a knee injury.
On Boston’s end, only center Daniel Theis appears on the team’s injury report as probably with foot soreness; he may get the night off or at least light duty, but otherwise, the Celtics are at full strength.
Most online sportsbooks favor Boston considerably, granting a -5 spread to the team.
Our prediction is a solid Celtics win at 107-98.
