Game 17 Preview: Grizzlies vs. Celtics

Jeff Green and the Celtics will look to win their seventh game tonight.

The Boston Celtics (6-10) are streaking again. They've lost four in a row, won four in a row, lost six in a row, and now have won two in a row. These streaking Celts will face the streaking Memphis Grizzlies (7-7).

These two squared off on November 4 in Memphis in what was a 95-88 win for the Grizzlies.

After winning four straight, the Grizz are losers of their last two games. Center Marc Gasol, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is out indefinitely after spraining his left MCL.

For the Celtics, Kelly Olynyk is not expected to play after spraining his right ankle last Friday against the Pacers. Head coach Brad Stevens told reporters yesterday that Olynyk could be out up to two weeks.

Boston's grueling November is about to come to a close, and they can do so in winning fashion.

Projected lineups:

Grizzlies:
Mike Conley
Tony Allen
Tayshaun Prince
Zach Randolph
Kosta Koufos

Celtics:
Avery Bradley
Jordan Crawford
Jeff Green
Jared Sullinger
Brandon Bass


Keys to the game:

1. Take away the paint: Memphis is scoring 44.1 points in the paint per game, which is good for seventh in the league. Without Gasol, that production should decrease. However, Memphis still has Zach Randolph, Kosta Koufos, and Ed Davis, all of whom are more than capable of being factors on the low block. Without Olynyk, the Celtics need to utilize their bulk from other areas (Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries) in order to combat Memphis's bigs.

2. The fives: Without Gasol, Memphis's starting five is averaging 58.6 points per game. The Celtics starting five is averaging 63.5 points per game. Their starting lineup is better than Memphis's. They need to play that way tonight.