Celtics aim for fourth straight win with Marcus Smart’s return

Celtics aim for fourth straight win with Marcus Smart’s return

After defeating the Bucks 111-105 in a playoff-like atmosphere at TD Garden, the Celtics are turning around and refocusing on the second straight night.

The Bucks’ season win put a dent in the discrepancy between the two games at the start of the season.

The Celtics are looking to extend their winning streak against the Grizzlies to seven games. Overall, the Celtics have won three straight after overtaking the Pistons and decimating the Heat earlier in the week.

Marcus Smart has his first chance to play against the Celtics at TD Garden. Smart, who spent nine seasons with the Celtics, is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. A hand injury prevented Smart from playing when the Grizzlies made their only visit to Boston last season.

When: Saturday, 8 p.m

Where: TD Garden, Boston

TV, radio: NBCSB, WBZ-FM 98.5

Line: Boston -6.5. O/U: 238.5.

GRIZZLIES

Season balance: 15-8. vs. distribution: 15-8. Over/Under: 14-9

Last 10 games: 8-2. vs. distribution: 7-3. Over/Under: 5-5

Celts

Season balance: 19-4. vs. distribution: 9-14. Over/Under: 11-11, 1 push

Last 10 games: 9-1. vs. distribution: 2-8. Over/Under: 5-5

TEAM STATISTICS

Points per game: Memphis 121.1, Boston 120.1

Points allowed per game: Memphis 113.1, Boston 110.0

Field goal percentage: Memphis .487, Boston .460

Opponent field goal percentage: Memphis .440, Boston .463

3-point percentage: Memphis .348, Boston .373

Opponent’s 3-point percentage: Memphis .339, Boston .354

Statistics of the day: The Celtics have won 16 of their last 17 games against the Grizzlies, including the last 10 in Boston.

Notes: Marcus Smart spent his first nine seasons in the NBA with the Celtics before being traded to Memphis in a three-team deal that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Boston.

Smart scored in double figures for the fourth time in his last five games after scoring 18 points in Memphis’ 115-110 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.

Boston extended its home winning streak to seven games by defeating Milwaukee 111-105 on Friday night.

Porzingis did not play in that game for injury management reasons, but is expected to be on the roster against the Grizzlies. Al Horford was in Boston’s lineup Friday, but he typically doesn’t play in both games when the Celtics play on consecutive nights.

The Celtics prevailed Friday despite missing 36 of their 53 3-point attempts. Boston ended the game with a 16-6 run. Jrue Holiday scored six of his 20 points in the final six minutes.


Cam Kerry can be reached at [email protected].

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