Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics: Injury Update and Line-Up Predictions

The seeding games are swiftly approaching the end of the schedule. Several teams in the fighting for the final playoff spot in the West. The Memphis Grizzlies are one among them. A wounded Grizzlies take on the in-form Boston Celtics in their next matchup. Memphis is treading dangerously with their currently held eighth playoff seed, and the odds don’t look good for them against the Celtics.

Rookie of the Year favorite Ja Morant is pushing the team with his spectacular talent, but that is not just enough for the Grizzlies to register victories inside the bubble. Memphis is currently 1-5 in the seeding games, a bleak record that might deprive them of confidence ahead of two crucial games against the Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks.

On the other hand, the Boston Celtics are very much locked in as the #3 seed in the east and have had a good outing inside the bubble so far. After a rusty performance against the Bucks in their opener, Jayson Tatum has quickly adapted to the bubble conditions and has been a game-changer for the Celtics.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics: Injury Updates

The Celtics would be coming into the match with much more confidence than the Grizzlies. A healthy lineup is the major positive for Boston, when compared to their opponents, who are troubled by injuries.

The Grizzlies took a huge hit to their roster inside the bubble. 20-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr. will be out for the remainder of the season. Jackson suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, in Memphis’ loss against the Pelicans on August 3. A season-ending injury for Jackson put the team in trouble, as he was their most consistent scorer since the season’s restart.

The Celtics will probably be without their 28-year-old center, Daniel Theis. He has been an integral part of Boston’s success, proving to be a good #5 on the court with his versatility. However, Theis is listed as probable against the Grizzlies due to a sore foot. It will be much deserving time-off for the 6’8” German.

The Celtics might go out with a similar staring five comprising Kemba Walker, Tatum, Gordon Hayward, and Jaylen Brown. The absence of Theis will definitely trouble the team. But Enes Kanter would get some valuable minutes to fill in the place of the Celtics’ talented center.

As for the Grizzlies, veteran Anthony Tolliver has been filling in for the injured Jaren Jackson Jr. The Grizzlies will probably go all out with their most-efficient lineup of Ja Morant, Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks, Tolliver, and Jonas Valanciunas.

We really see Boston excelling in this one, as long as they perform their routine game-plan. The Grizzlies are under heavy pressure in their next two games. Moreover, the play-in tournament for the eighth seed is approaching the team at a risky pace. Can the Grizzlies upset the Celtics to register their second victory inside the NBA bubble?