NBA Game of the Week: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Boston Celtics

Saturday brings a special moment for Boston fans as Marcus Smart, a familiar face, returns to TD Garden for the first time since being traded. Smart, a cornerstone of the Celtics for nine years, was moved during the 2023 NBA offseason in a three-team trade involving the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, and Boston Celtics. While fans were saddened to see him go, the pain eased after the Celtics claimed the championship in June. Now fully healthy, Smart has the chance to face his former team in a revenge game.

The Grizzlies enter the game with a 15-8 record, good for fourth place in the highly competitive Western Conference. Despite battling injuries over the past two seasons, Memphis continues to perform at a high level, thanks largely to the growth of 2018’s fourth overall pick, Jaren Jackson Jr. Jackson leads the team in scoring, even surpassing star point guard Ja Morant. For Morant, staying out of the spotlight this year has been a welcome change.

Memphis, however, remains shorthanded. Seven-foot-four rookie Zach Edey, G.G. Jackson, and potentially sharpshooter Luke Kennard, who is a game-time decision, will be unavailable for this matchup.

The Boston Celtics have continued their trend of regular-season dominance, a hallmark of the franchise since 2015. Aside from losing Oshae Brissett, who had a minimal on-court impact, Boston retained its core roster. This year, injuries to Kristaps Porziņģis have forced experimentation at the center position, with Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet, and Al Horford each taking turns starting at the five.

Despite these adjustments, the Celtics hold the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers.

For the Grizzlies, the game plan must be to beat the Celtics at their own game. Boston thrives from beyond the arc, leading the league in three-point makes, while Memphis ranks middle of the pack. Limiting Boston’s paint defense—where Jackson and Morant shine—will be crucial. Memphis will also need Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama to hit their outside shots and exploit pick-and-roll opportunities when Queta and Kornet are on the floor, as both big men struggle defensively in those situations.

For Boston, sticking to their usual approach should suffice: trust their talent and outplay the opponent. The Celtics boast the most talented roster in the league, and their stars often make the game look effortless. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are capable of scoring 30 points on any given night, Derrick White will bring his elite defense against Morant, and Jrue Holiday has been a two-way force, disrupting opponents on defense and facilitating the offense.

While no betting odds are available yet, the Celtics are expected to be about eight-point favorites. Smart’s return to TD Garden, where he played 42 games a season for nearly a decade, is sure to be an emotional one. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see if Smart performs his iconic pregame back-to-the-basket three-point shot from the corner.

Alec Brown is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email aeb6680@psu.edu.