Honestly, if you looked at the box scores from the last few times the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics shared a court, you might think you’re just seeing another "contender vs. rebuilding" narrative. But that’s a lazy take. It's totally wrong. When the Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics matchup pops up on the calendar, it’s not just a cross-conference filler game. It is a clash of basketball philosophies that feels more like a heavy-metal concert than a refined orchestra.
On one side, you have the Celtics. They’re basically the NBA’s gold standard for "five-out" efficiency and modern wing dominance. Then there’s Memphis. Even with the injuries and the drama that’s followed them over the last year, they still play with that "Grit and Grind" ghost in the machine. It’s messy. It’s loud. And it usually results in some of the most unpredictable basketball you’ll see all season.
The Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics Power Struggle
Let’s get into the recent grit. Back in November 2025, the Celtics basically dismantled Memphis with a 131–95 blowout. It was one of those games where Payton Pritchard looked like a Hall of Famer, dropping 24 points and 9 assists. Boston’s depth is just terrifying. When Jayson Tatum has a "quiet" night and they still win by 36, you realize how steep the hill is for a team like Memphis.
But wait. Go back to late 2024. Memphis walked into TD Garden and pulled off a 127–121 upset. Ja Morant was dancing. Jaren Jackson Jr. was erasing shots at the rim like a man possessed. That game proved that when the Grizzlies are healthy—or even semi-healthy—they have an athletic gear that can make even the most disciplined Boston defense look a little sluggish.
The contrast is wild. Boston wants to shoot 45 threes and move the ball until your head spins. Memphis wants to get into your jersey, force a turnover, and let Ja Morant fly through the air before you can even get back on defense. It’s a battle of "The System" versus "The Scramble."
📖 Related: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
The Tatum vs. Morant Dynamic
You can't talk about this game without talking about the stars. Jayson Tatum is a metronome. He’s 6'8", smooth, and plays with a deliberate pace that makes defenders feel like they’re stuck in slow motion. In their March 2025 meeting, he put up 25 points and 14 rebounds. He just occupies so much space on the floor.
Ja is different. He’s lightning in a bottle. In that same game, Morant matched him with 26 points of his own. While Tatum is trying to solve the game like a math equation, Morant is trying to break the game with pure gravity and speed. It’s the ultimate "irresistible force meeting an immovable object" scenario.
Why Zach Edey Changes the Math
One thing people aren't talking about enough in the Memphis Grizzlies vs Boston Celtics rivalry is the "Edey Factor." Drafting Zach Edey was a massive pivot for Memphis. In their October 2025 matchup, Edey was already making his presence felt on the glass, pulling down double-digit rebounds.
Boston usually loves to play small and versatile. They’ll put Al Horford or Kristaps Porziņģis at the five and drag your big man out to the perimeter. But Edey is a different kind of problem. You can't just ignore a 7'4" human being in the paint. If Memphis can use him to punish Boston’s smaller lineups, it forces Joe Mazzulla to change his entire math-based approach. That’s where things get interesting for bettors and analysts alike.
👉 See also: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Key Stats That Actually Matter
Forget the season averages for a second. When these two play, a few specific numbers usually dictate the winner.
First off, second-chance points. In that November blowout, Boston killed Memphis 34–12 on second-chance opportunities. That’s embarrassing for a Grizzlies team that prides itself on being tougher than everyone else. If Memphis doesn't win the "hustle" categories, they don't stand a chance against Boston's superior shooting.
The second thing is the three-point volume. Boston is going to shoot them. A lot of them. In their December 2024 loss to Memphis, the Celtics took a staggering number of threes but shot poorly in the first quarter (around 24 attempts just in the first 12 minutes). Memphis won because they forced Boston into a high-variance shooting night and capitalized on the long rebounds.
- Turnover Points: Memphis needs at least 15+ points off turnovers to beat the C’s.
- Paint Dominance: If Jaren Jackson Jr. and Edey combine for 4+ blocks, Memphis usually stays within 5 points.
- Bench Scoring: Guys like Sam Hauser or Payton Pritchard can end a game in three minutes if the Grizzlies' second unit falls asleep.
What to Watch for Next
The next time these two face off—scheduled for March 20, 2026, at the FedExForum—keep an eye on the wing matchups. Marcus Smart playing against his old team is always going to have some extra "juice." He knows the Celtics' sets better than anyone. He knows how to get under Jaylen Brown’s skin.
✨ Don't miss: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
Also, watch the health of Kristaps Porziņģis. When he’s on the floor, the Celtics are basically an unsolvable puzzle. Without him, Memphis has a much clearer path to the rim.
If you’re looking for a takeaway, it’s this: don’t bet against the Celtics’ talent, but never count out the Grizzlies’ ability to turn a basketball game into a backyard brawl. If Memphis can keep the game "ugly," they have a puncher’s chance every single time.
Keep an eye on the injury report leading up to the March matchup. Specifically, check the status of Desmond Bane. His gravity as a shooter is the only thing that keeps the floor open enough for Morant to do his thing against a defense as elite as Boston's. If Bane is out, Boston can just wall off the paint and cruise to a win.
Check the local FanDuel Sports Network or NBC Sports Boston for the broadcast details as we get closer to the tip-off. This is one of those games that usually ends up being a lot closer than the records suggest.