Celtics-Grizzlies preview: Blowout blowback

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BOSTONThe mounting losses have been disappointing in and of themselves to Celtics coach Doc Rivers. When you pile on the fact that many of those losses have come in blowout fashion, that just adds insult to injury.

And as lopsided as things have been in defeat for the Celtics, the C's have shown the ability to dominate in victory which speaks volumes about how inconsistent their play has been this season.

"It's amazing, the difference for us when we win and lose games," Rivers said. "The numbers are startling. That's what we have to improve."

They will get an opportunity tonight against a Memphis (19-9) team that is among the best in the West despite dropping three of its last four games.

Meanwhile, the Celtics (14-16) are trying to snap a three-game losing skid in which they were beaten by an average of 23 points per game.

Rivers would love for his club to win more games, obviously. But the overwhelmingly decisive manner in which they have won and lost this season, is disturbing.

In their 14 wins, the C's average margin of victory is by 9.1 points per game. In the 16 losses, Boston is getting beat by an average of 12.2 points per game.

More than anything else, it reinforces Rivers' theory that his players allow their shot-making to dictate their play defensively.

"We gotta buy into it. When you buy into the defenisve part of it, it makes it easier," Rivers told CSNNE.com. "Some of the new guys, their offense has always been what triggered how they play. Now they're at a place where we want you to play well offensively, but if it doesn't work out we don't care."

Here are some other keys to tonight's game as the Celtics look to win for the sixth time in their last seven games at the TD Garden.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Memphis has one of the best 1-2 frontcourt punches with Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Their ability to control the action inside the paint is at the heart of why Memphis ranks among the NBA leaders in points in the paint (43.7, 7th) and rebounds (52.5, 8th) per game.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: Kevin Garnett vs Zach Randolph. Although Garnett's production has dipped since moving to power forward, the C's remain convinced that this will benefit him and the Celtics over the long haul. Randolph remains one of the more under-rated talents in the NBA, averaging 17 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this season.

PLAYER TO WATCH: It's Avery Bradley, easily. His long-awaited return should provide a boost of energy -- or at the very least, better play defensively -- that the Celtics are in desperate need right now.

STAT TO TRACK: Scoring will indeed be at a premium for the Celtics against a stingy Grizzlies defense that's giving up an NBA-low 90 points per game. Boston has failed to score 90 or more points in two of their last three games.

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