The Celtics will be looking to extend their winning streak against the Memphis Grizzlies to seven games on Saturday when the teams meet in Boston.
The Celtics have won 16 of their past 17 matchups versus the Grizzlies, including the past 10 in Boston.
“This game is a good barometer,” Memphis guard Desmond Bane said. “It’ll give us a good opportunity to see where we’re at.”
Marcus Smart spent his first nine seasons in the NBA with the Celtics before he was traded to Memphis in a three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston. Smart is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. A hand injury prevented Smart from playing when the Grizzlies made their lone visit to Boston last season.
Smart scored in double figures for the fourth time in his past five games after totaling 18 in Memphis’ 115-110 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. After the game, he made it sound like he expects to play against Boston.
“I’m ready,” Smart said. “I spent a lot of years in TD Garden. So, to come back and actually be on the other side of that bench, it’s definitely going to be a lot of emotions for me. But it’s a game, and I’m going to go out and do everything I can to help my team win.
“I’m sure they see how good I’ve been playing, and they’re going to try to make sure I don’t come in there and have a great game. It’s a big test for us.”
Boston stretched its home winning streak to seven games by beating Milwaukee 111-105 on Friday night.
Porzingis did not play in that game for injury management reasons but is expected to be in the lineup against the Grizzlies.
Al Horford was in Boston’s lineup Friday, but typically he doesn’t play in both games when the Celtics play on back-to-back nights.
The Celtics prevailed Friday despite missing 36 of their 53 3-point attempts. Boston finished the game on a 16-6 run. Jrue Holiday scored six of his 20 points in the final six minutes.
“We’ve been through it (poor shooting),” Holiday said. “I think we rely on our defense a lot. Being able to go on the court and know that our defense can save us at any time or keep it close … I think our defense held it down for us today.”
“I appreciate (the Bucks) pushing us. That’s what makes the game fun. I think that’s what battle-tests us for the future. … We want to win the game no matter what it takes, especially being at home in Boston. So took this game for what it is and move on to the next one tomorrow.”
Jayson Tatum had 34 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Milwaukee was 1 of 13 from the field in the final six minutes.
“Our defense was tremendous,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I thought our defense kept us in it, and I thought we continued to fight for great looks.”
–Field Level Media