Final: Celtics 119, Memphis 109 - 3-pointers carry Celtics to big win

Game 58: Celtics (-3.5) vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 2:00 p.m., ABC

Injuries: 

Boston: OUT- Danilo Gallinari, Marcus Smart (ankle), Jaylen Brown (face), Malcolm Brogdon (achilles)

Memphis: OUT- Steven Adams (knee)

Hornets probable starters: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman, Jarren Jackson, Jr., Dillon Brooks

Refs: Eric Lewis (#42), Sean Corbin (#33), Scott Wall (#31)

Last time they played: Celtics 109, Grizzlies 106, November 7 - The Celtics came out a little slow while the Grizzlies shot the lights out in the first quarter. Jayson Tatum took over in the second, dropping 19 while the C’s ran off a 20-0 run. The teams traded places with Ja Morant having an MVP quarter in the third to give the Grizzlies the lead. Jaylen Brown woke up from a bad game to help fuel a Celtics lead and the Celtics held on despite the Grizzlies making a furious late comeback.

A little something about this game: The Grizzlies have won two straight coming into this, but they have lost six straight on the road. Memphis is 11-16 on the road. The Grizzlies added sharpshooter Luke Kennard at the trade deadline. 

Things I’m looking for:

- Staying organized: With Brogdon and Smart out and Derrick White starting at point guard, the Celtics will turn to Payton Pritchard for some of the duties at point. But that also means Jayson Tatum will be handling the ball a lot more, which takes him out of off-ball actions. Tatum has been very effective as a screener but with the Celtics shorthanded, they’ll have to go elsewhere for that. 

- Attacking the shot blocker: I’m a huge proponent of attacking shot blockers and not worrying as much about getting rejected. Attack him, try to draw the foul and get him out of the game. However, Joe Mazzulla is fine with the Celtics firing up jumpers. 

“I think if you're open you have to shoot it and I think you have to space (Jackson, Jr.),” he said. “I think you got to regardless, when you get into the paint you have to make the right play. So whether that's a layup, whether that's passing out to a three, the game will decide that. But what's worse than settling for a jump shot is going in and getting your shot blocked and Ja Morant going down and dunking on you.”

That's a fair point. Transition defense will be key in keeping Morant from doing chinups all game.

- Defensive battle: This could be a low-scoring game. Memphis has the second-ranked defense in the league and Boston is fourth. 

“They're physical, they look to maintain matchups so that they can blow up plays, look to top lock to get you away from your actions, and they really play with the active hands and they generate a lot of deflections and turnovers,” Mazzulla said. “Today's biggest importance is the margins. It's not the transition defense, it's the turnovers and the offensive decision making that leads to their transition. And so it's transition, it's second chance, it's defending those guys early in the shot clock. But yeah, they do a great job with their active hands and in their physicality getting through screens.”

The Celtics absolutely have to limit Memphis transition opportunities. They are not a good halfcourt team, so getting back on defense (preferably after hitting shots) is their top priority today. 

Follow along below or in the comments during the game, chime in, and let’s have fun.