Today : Apr 02, 2025
Sports
01 April 2025

Celtics Look To Extend Winning Streak Against Grizzlies

Jayson Tatum cleared to play as playoffs approach

The Boston Celtics received positive news ahead of their Monday night matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, as All-Star forward Jayson Tatum was not listed on the team’s injury report. This comes after Tatum led the Celtics with 29 points in their 121-111 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. March 31, 2025, marks a crucial moment for Boston as they look to maintain their momentum heading into the playoffs.

While Jayson Tatum is cleared to play, the Celtics will still be monitoring two key players. Jaylen Brown (knee) and Luke Kornet (illness) are both listed as questionable for the game. Brown’s potential absence would be significant, as he and Tatum form the core of Boston’s offense. On the Grizzlies’ side, Brandon Clarke (knee) and Zyon Pullin (knee) have been ruled out, leaving Memphis without two rotation players.

Jayson Tatum’s availability is a major relief for Boston, especially with the playoffs approaching. The 26-year-old has been in elite form this season, averaging 29.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.8 assists while shooting 47.5% from the field. His ability to carry the scoring load has been crucial for the Boston Celtics, who hold the NBA’s best record at 55-19. The Grizzlies (44-30), meanwhile, are coming off a tough 134-127 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and will need a strong defensive effort to contain Jayson Tatum.

Tonight’s game tips off at 7:30 p.m. ET at FedExForum and will be broadcast on TNT, MAX, and NBCS-BOS. Streaming options include Fubo and Max, though regional blackouts may apply. Boston enters as 5.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 236.5. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, the Boston Celtics are focused on maintaining their momentum while keeping their stars healthy. Jayson Tatum’s durability has been a bright spot—he has missed only four games all year—and his presence on the floor gives Boston its best chance to secure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Fans hoping to catch the action can tune in to see if Tatum continues his dominant season or if the shorthanded Grizzlies can pull off an upset at home. Either way, his status being clear is the biggest takeaway for Celtics supporters.

The Memphis Grizzlies continue their three-game home stand against the red-hot Boston Celtics, who have won their last eight games, on Monday night. This game will be the second and final meeting of the season against Memphis and Boston. The Grizzlies were able to take the first game in Boston, which also ended their streak of losses in the TD Garden. Memphis had control of the flow for most of that game and was able to close out with a final score of 127-121.

Ja Morant led the way for the Grizzlies in that matchup with an impressive 32 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists, and 2 steals on shooting splits of 55/67/86. The Grizzlies are entering the game with a fairly clean injury report containing two players: Brandon Clarke and Zyon Pullin. Clarke is out with a right knee PCL sprain, and Pullin is out due to recovery from right patellar tendon surgery. However, Ja Morant is available for the game on March 31, 2025.

As for the Celtics, they have four players listed on their injury report: Jaylen Brown, JD Davison, Miles Norris, and Drew Peterson. Brown is questionable with a posterior right knee impingement. JD Davison is out due to his two-way G League contract, while Miles Norris and Drew Peterson are both out due to their two-way contracts.

The Celtics have shown dominance in their recent games, boasting a record of 8-0 in their last eight outings. They have been particularly strong offensively, ranking 7th in the league with 116.41 points scored per game. In contrast, the Grizzlies' defense has struggled, allowing 114.69 points per game, which ranks 20th in the league.

Boston's shooting has also been impressive, with a 37.11% success rate from beyond the arc, placing them 7th in the league. Their ability to score efficiently and maintain a high pace has been a critical factor in their success this season. The Celtics have also excelled in rebounding, averaging 44.32 total rebounds per game, compared to the Grizzlies' 42.89.

In terms of assists, the Celtics average 25.41 per game, which ranks them 17th, while the Grizzlies average 26.61, placing them 20th. However, Boston's ability to limit turnovers has been a standout statistic; they lead the league with only 11.24 turnovers per game.

As the game approaches, both teams will be looking to make adjustments based on their previous meeting. The Grizzlies will aim to replicate their earlier success against the Celtics, while Boston will look to exploit Memphis's defensive weaknesses. The stakes are high as both teams are vying for playoff positioning, making this matchup a must-watch for basketball fans.

With the playoffs on the horizon, every game counts, and both teams will be eager to secure a win. The Celtics aim to extend their winning streak, while the Grizzlies hope to bounce back from their recent loss and solidify their playoff standing. The excitement is palpable as fans anticipate the showdown between these two competitive teams.

As the clock ticks down to tip-off, the Celtics are poised to showcase their talents against a resilient Grizzlies squad. Will Jayson Tatum continue his scoring spree, or can Ja Morant lead Memphis to another victory? One thing is for sure: this game promises to deliver high-stakes basketball and thrilling moments.