Final: Memphis 127, Celtics 121 - Missed free throws burn Boston

BOSTON CELTICS (18-4) vs. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (11-10)    

TD Garden, 8 p.m. - NBCS Boston

Line: Boston -7.5

INJURIES

Boston: Al Horford (OUT, toe)

Memphis: Zach Edey (OUT, ankle), GG Jackson (OUT, foot), Luke Kennard (OUT, illness), Vince Williams, Jr., (OUT, ankle), Desmond Bane (QUESTIONABLE, toe)

THINGS I’M LOOKING FOR

1. Fatigue: The Celtics are wrapping up a stretch of six games in nine nights. This is their second back-to-back of the week. I’m expecting the Celtics to try to out score the Grizzlies in this one, so I wouldn’t expect a whole lot of defense. They did all that stuff last night. This one might not live up to that standard. Maybe the Celtics lean on Kristaps Porzingis a big more since he was off yesterday. He did say he wants to take 40 shots a game, maybe this is the one where he does. 

2. Payton Pritchard bounce back: He put up a goose egg yesterday, and I’m sure that ate at him all night long. Let’s see if that was a one-off or if there's a little regression to the mean coming. Personally, I expect him to make a few buckets tonight. If anyone is impervious to fatigue, it’s Pritchard. 

3. Marcus Smart: This will be his first game back as an active player and we all know how much he loves big moments like this. The question is will he be “good” motivated and make ton of incredible plays or will he be “bad” motivated and try to do too much? 

Either way, I expect a show. 

Follow along with my thoughts as the game goes on. They’ll show up below and in the comments section, so hop in and share your opinion as well.