Post by FLCeltsFan on Mar 8, 2016 17:08:05 GMT -5
at 
Memphis Grizzlies (38-25) at Boston Celtics (38-26)
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
7:00 PM ET
Regular Season Game [HASH]65, Home Game [HASH]33
TV: ESPN, CSNNE, TSN2
Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, WMFS
TD Garden
Probable Starting Matchups
Point Guard
vs 
Isaiah Thomas vs Mario Chalmers
Shooting Guard
vs 
Avery Bradley vs Tony Allen
Small Forward
vs 
Jae Crowder vs PJ Hairston
Power Forward
vs 
Amir Johnson vs JaMychal Green
Center
vs 
Jared Sullinger vs Ryan Hollins
ReservesMarcus Smart
Jonas Jerebko
Terry Rozier
James Young
Jordan Mickey
Tyler Zeller
Coty Clarke
Evan Turner
RJ Hunter
Injuries
Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) game time decision
Jared Sullinger (illness) game time decision
Head Coach
Brad Stevens
ReservesVince Carter
Lance Stephenson
Jarell Martin
Injuries
Jordan Adams (knee) out
Mike Conley (foot) doubtful
Jarell Martin (foot) out
Brandon Wright (knee) out
Chris Andersen (shoulder) doubtful
Marc Gasol (foot) out
Zach Randolph (knee) game time decision
Matt Barnes (hamstring) game time decision
Head Coach
David Joerger
Game Notes
The Celtics host the Memphis Grizzlies for their second and final meeting this season. These two teams met on January 10th in Memphis with the Grizzlies coming out a 101-98 winner. The Celtics have been off since Saturday and should be well rested but hopefully not rusty. The Grizzlies played in Cleveland on Monday and came away with a win over the Cavaliers.
Both teams are 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Celtics are 22-10 at home and going for their 14th straight win at home. The Grizzlies are 15-15 on the road and are looking for their 2nd straight road win. The Celtics are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Cavaliers while the Grizzlies are coming off a win over the Cavaliers.
The Celtics maintain a precarious hold on the 3rd spot in the East. Miami has moved to within 1/2 game of the Celtics by virtue of 2 games against the league worst 76ers and a third game against the 3rd worst Phoenix Suns and the Celtics loss to the Cavaliers. The Celtics remain 2.5 games ahead of Atlanta in the 5th spot. Memphis is 5th in the West.
The Grizzlies are battling injuries and are playing shorthanded. The Celtics can't take them for granted though, no matter how short handed they are since they played just 8 players against the healthy Cavs and beat them. The Grizzlies have 4 players definitely out and 4 more who are doubtful or game time decisions.
For the Celtics, Kelly Olynyk practiced on Monday and Tuesday and is getting close to returning but is listed as a game time decision. Jared Sullinger is also a game time decision after being hospitalized with a skin infection and missing practice on Monday and Tuesday. If Sully can't play, Tyler Zeller is expected to start. The lineup listed for the Grizzlies is the same one they beat the Cavaliers with. The Celtics shouldn't make the same mistake they did and underestimate them because of the shorthanded lineup.
Key Matchups
vs Amir Johnson vs JaMychal Green
Green is averaging 14.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. He scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds against the Cavs on Monday. He is capable of playing very well and so Amir needs to play him tough.
vs Isaiah Thomas vs Mario Chalmers
Chalmers is filling in for the injured Mike Conley, who is a game time decision. Chalmers is averaging 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the season but put up 17 points and 7 assists against the Cavs on Monday.
Honorable Mention
Avery Bradley vs Tony Allen
Tony is averaging 7.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1 assist per game. He has a way of coming up big against the Celtics, however and had 15 points and 10 rebounds against the Celtics in January. He also is coming off a 26 point 5 steal game against the Cavs.
Evan Turner vs Lance Stephenson
Stephenson was traded to the Grizzlies at the trade deadline and is already making a difference for them off the bench. He scored 17 points off the bench against the Cavaliers on Monday. Evan needs to play well in this game to keep Stephenson from coming up big for the Grizzlies.
Keys to the Game
Defense - Defense is always key to getting a win. The Celtics must play tough defense against the Grizzlies, who are holding teams to 99.2 points per game. The Celtics let their defense slip somewhat around the All Star break but hopefully are back to making it a priority. They are allowing 102.0 points per game. The Celtics must limit the the Grizzlies scoring.
Set the Pace - With the Grizzlies likely to be short handed, the Celtics need to use their depth and run on every possession and keep the pace of the game up throughout the game. They should be able to wear them down by the end of the game. The Celtics play best when they are running and getting easy shots before the defense can set up.
Play 48 Minutes - This follows setting the pace. The Celtics can't just run half the game. They have to run for the entire game. They also can't let up down the stretch and have to focus especially at the end of the game. They have to stay focused and play hard the entire game.
Rebound - The Celtics must put out extra effort to grab as many rebounds as they can because they have to get the ball in order to score and they must keep the Grizzlies from scoring easy second chance points. In the first meeting between these two teams, the Celtics were out-rebounded 58-39 and they allowed the Grizzlies to get 21 offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies won't have Gasol this time and may not have Randolph, but the Celtics still have to be aggressive in going after the rebounds.
Stay Focused - The Celtics allowed the referees to take their focus out of the the game. They have to be able to stay focused on their game and not let the officiating or the other team get into their heads. The Celtics also can't let the Grizzlies' injuries affect their play. They have to stay focused and not let up because the Grizzlies are less than 100%.
X-Factors
Home
The Celtics are playing very well at home and are going for their 14th straight home win. They have to keep their focus on getting the win and let the home crowd give them a boost.
Officiating
Officiating is always an x-factor. At times they call the game even and let them play. Other times they call the game one sided or call every little touch foul and that takes all of the flow out of the game. Every crew has it's own identity and that can change the flow and outcome of the game. The Celtics play best when the refs allow them to play and call the game fairly. In the first game against the Grizzlies, the officiating was tilted toward Memphis with 40 free throws for them and 23 for the Celtics. The officiating was definitely a factor in the loss to the Cavs. They have to adjust to the way the game is being called and not let it affect them.
