Following consecutive losses to the Philadelphia 76ers and Memphis Grizzlies, the Boston Celtics could badly use a win against the Memphis Grizzlies in Tennessee tonight. Sportsbooks opened the Grizz as 2.5-point home underdogs with a total of 201.

Irving has done his part for the C’s

The Celtics were out rebounded 58-44 and surrendered 16 offensive rebounds in the 127-113 setback to the Rockets on Thursday. Don’t fault Kyrie Irving for Boston’s recent struggles, however, as the star point guard notched 23 points, 11 assists and one turnover in the loss to the Rockets – his second straight double-double. Irving went off for 40 points and 10 rebounds on Christmas and is 33-of-58 from the floor over the past three contests.

The Grizzlies recently dropped five in a row and fell to .500, but they are coming off wins in their last two games, including a 95-87 triumph over the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Dillon Brooks’ return has coincided with the Grizzlies two victories after the 22-year-old sat out 21 games with a knee injury.

Grizzlies, Celtics love going OVER

Boston has flat-out dominated this series of late, winning each of the previous five matchups between the squads, including back to back wins in Memphis. In that span, the Celtics are a solid 4-1 ATS despite getting the favorite label in each of those contests.

When it comes to the total, the Celtics and Grizzlies have a habit of going OVER totals. In the last 27 matchups between Boston and Memphis, the OVER is 21-6. The OVER is also 14-3 in Boston’s last 17 trips to Tennessee.

My pick: take the OVER

Both of these teams have shown the ability to go OVER totals with ease on their own of late, and their history of cashing OVERs is simply too good to ignore. I’m not banking on that trend slowing down any time soon, so take the OVER and watch the fireworks ensue in this one.