Boston Takes on Memphis, Riding a 3-Game Win Streak

The Boston Celtics (46-23) travel to Memphis, Tennessee to face the Grizzlies (24-44) on Friday at 8 p.m. EDT. Boston arrives riding a 3-game win streak and aims to extend that run.

Game context

The Celtics sit second in the Eastern Conference. They are 22-13 on the road.

Memphis is 11th in the Western Conference and 13-20 at home. The Grizzlies average 28.5 assists per game, seventh in the NBA.

Team statistics and matchups

Boston averages 114.4 points per game and outscoring opponents by 7.4 points. The Celtics shoot 46.5 percent from the field.

Memphis shoots 46.0 percent overall this season. That mark is 1.9 percentage points higher than the 44.1 percent opponents have shot against Boston.

The Celtics allow 47.6 percent shooting to their opponents, 1.1 points higher than Boston’s own field-goal percentage.

Recent meeting

This is the second matchup of the season between the teams. Boston won the first meeting 131-95 on Nov. 13.

Payton Pritchard scored 24 points in that November win.

Form and trends

In their last 10 games, Boston is 7-3. They average 110.9 points, 48.8 rebounds and 25.9 assists while shooting 44.5 percent.

Memphis has gone 2-8 in its last 10 outings. The Grizzlies average 116.7 points, 38.1 rebounds and 26.4 assists while shooting 45.5 percent.

Opponents have averaged 103.5 points against Boston. Opponents have averaged 122.9 points against Memphis.

Key players

• Jaylen Brown leads Boston with 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
• Derrick White is averaging 17.5 points and 4.1 rebounds over his past 10 games. He is shooting 42.1 percent in that span.
• Cam Spencer averages 11.4 points and 5.4 assists for Memphis. He is one of the team’s primary playmakers.
• Jaylen Wells has averaged 14.7 points over his last 10 games for the Grizzlies.

Injury report

• Memphis long-term absences include Santi Aldama (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger), and Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe).
• Additional Grizzlies sidelined are Ja Morant (elbow), Zach Edey (ankle), Jahmai Mashack (ankle) and Brandon Clarke (calf).
• Boston is without Nikola Vucevic, who is out with a finger injury.

Expect Boston to challenge Memphis’ ball movement and pace. The Grizzlies will look to use assists to create high-percentage looks.

Reporting for Filmogaz.com.