Gm65: Celtics vs Grizzlies (Thur 3/3/22' @ 7:30PM on TNT)

One of the hottest teams in the league takes on who’s arguably been the hottest player this season. Ja Morant’s Grizzlies are in Boston for a 7:30 p.m. Thursday game at TD Garden, facing the Celtics, who have won 14 of their last 17 games. It’ll be another nationally-televised stage for the Celtics as the game was flexed into the TNT slot.

It’s been the Morant show all season as he’s enjoyed a remarkable breakout campaign. Morant made his first career All-Star appearance as a starter. He’s averaging 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game this season as one of the premier talents in the league. Morant’s play style is also one of the most exciting as he seemingly defies gravity on high-flying dunks.

Morant’s been unconscious in his past two games. He put up 52 points on the Spurs on Monday, and it was a 46-point outing against the Bulls a game before that. The Grizzlies are way ahead of schedule, coming into Thursday’s game with 43-20 record. Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and others make up a bright young core who should be around for years.

“He’s been playing great, this whole season but obviously as of late,” Jayson Tatum said of Morant. “He’s one of the special players in this league. It’s going to take a group effort tonight to guard him and the team. It should be a fun one tonight, but he’s been playing great.”

Morant faces a stiff test in the Celtics, who are one of the best defensive teams in the league. They can throw out a one-two punch of Marcus Smart and Derrick White on the guard. White and Smart are two of the best perimeter defensive players in the league.

But guarding Morant is a little different than guarding, for example, the Hawks’ Trae Young. While both are smaller point guards, Young can space the floor while Morant’s burst and speed are exceptional. That’s where Boston coach Ime Udoka said they need to make some adjustments guarding Morant.

“The leadership role, he’s kind of put his imprint on that franchise, which was all about toughness anyway,” Udoka said. “He kind of brought that back to Memphis. As much as what they do well — which is transition and things I mentioned, rebounding, points in the paint — a big part of that is because of him. But also more so the mentality, and how he’s rubbed off on the team.”

The Celtics, though, will be shorthanded when they take on the Grizzlies. Jaylen Brown sprained his ankle in Tuesday’s win over the Hawks and is out for the contest. Brown isn’t expected to be out long-term, but it’s still a blow in the present as the C’s take on one of the best teams in the league.

But the C’s have played either shorthanded or bad teams recently. Thursday’s an opportunity to not only add to their recent streak, but also make some noise on a nationally-televised stage.

“As Brad Stevens used to say, they’re all worth one, regardless of if you’re playing a top-ranked team or a lottery seed,” Tatum said. “I think always the main focus is yourself, what you’re trying to accomplish as a team. Obviously it’s our first time playing the Grizzlies, they’re having a great season.”