As we enter the final week of the regular season, two Western Conference playoff teams will cross paths Tuesday as the Memphis Grizzlies (55-23, 2nd in West) take on the Utah Jazz (46-32, 6th in the West). The Jazz will host this one at Vivint Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.
Coming into this game, the Grizzlies have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA. They have won seven in a row, including a 122-114 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
In the win, Dillon Brooks had a team-high 30 points while Ziaire Williams and De’Anthony Melton combined for 36 points.
Having lost six of their last ten, the Utah Jazz have been reeling as of late. On Saturday, they dropped their road matchup with the Golden State Warriors, 111-107.
Mike Conley Jr. and Donovan Mitchell tied for a team-high with 26 points apiece. Rudy Gobert added a double-double with 14 points and 20 rebounds.
The Jazz are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -210 to win while the Grizzlies’ moneyline sits at +176. The spread features Memphis +5 (-110).
By The Numbers
Both of these teams rank in the top-10 in scoring. Memphis ranks second in the league averaging 115.4 points per game (114 on the road). The Jazz rank seventh averaging 113.4 points (116.4 at home).
Defensively, it is Utah with the slight edge. They rank 10th in scoring defense allowing opponents an average of 107.9 points per game. The Grizzlies rank 12th allowing 109.2 points.
Memphis Surging Despite Injuries
While their run of seven-straight wins is impressive, even more, impressive is how shorthanded the Memphis Grizzlies have been as of late. For Tuesday’s game, Ja Morant is out with a knee injury, while Steven Adams (calf), Tyus Jones (hand), Jaren Jackson Jr (thigh), Desmond Bane (ankle), and Killian Tillie (knee) are all questionable.
With Morant out, Bane and Jackson become especially important. Bane is averaging 18.2 points while Jackson is averaging 16.3.
As a result, the Grizzlies will look for Dillon Brooks to continue to prosper. Not only did he drop 30 points in their last game, but he is averaging 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
Utah Trying To Avoid Play-In
As the sixth seed, the Utah Jazz would currently avoid the play-in tournament. However, with the Timberwolves only 1.5 games back and having won two in a row, the Jazz know they can’t afford to coast through their last four games.
Luckily for Utah fans, they have been outstanding at Vivint Arena this season. While they are 19-21 on the road, they are a solid 27-11 when playing at home.
Leading the way for Utah is shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. In 65 games, he is averaging 26.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.
Other major contributors include Bogdan Bogdanovic (18 points, 4.2 rebounds), Jordan Clarkson (16.1 points, 3.4 rebounds), Rudy Gobert (15.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 2.1 blocks), and Mike Conley (13.7 points, three rebounds, 5.3 assists).
Take Memphis And The Points
Without a doubt, the Memphis Grizzlies have been extremely shorthanded without All-Star Ja Morant. Still, they keep on winning. Take Friday’s game, where they beat top-seeded Phoenix at home.
For as well as Utah has played at home, the Grizzlies have played almost as well on the road (26-13).
While the injuries might catch up to them Tuesday, this one comes down to trends. The Grizzlies have been the hottest team in the West, while the Jazz have scuffled a little bit.
The Grizzlies may not be able to pick up the road victory, but there is a lot of value in taking them and the points.
Take Memphis +5 (-110).
