The Grizzlies are on the road to face the Utah Jazz, with both team’s playing their first-game of the season. Tip-off for this season-opener, is set for 9:00 at Delta Center.

Grizzlies vs Jazz

The Grizzlies Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win

Memphis enters the season ranked 7th in our power rankings, with a 70.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 14.6% chance of winning the division. Last season, the Grizzlies finished 27-55, placing 4th in their division and 13th in the Western Conference. They were 9-32 at home and 18-23 on the road.

Against the spread, Memphis went 26-56, with an 8-33 home record and an 18-23 mark on the road. They were favored in 17 games, going 7-10 in those matchups. Their average over/under line was 220.7 points, and their games averaged 218.6 points per game, resulting in a 38-43-1 O/U record.

The Jazz Are Looking To Start Their Season With A Win

Utah enters the season ranked 25th in our power rankings, with a 1.4% chance of making the playoffs. Last season, the Jazz finished 31-51, placing 12th in the Western Conference. They were 21-20 at home but struggled on the road, going 10-31.

Against the spread, Utah was 30-52 and went 13-6 straight-up when favored. Their games averaged 236.2 points, with an O/U record of 45-35-2.

Grizzlies Offense Breakdown

Memphis enters the season ranked 22nd in our offensive power rankings after finishing 30th in points per game (105.8) and field goal percentage (43.5%) last year. The Grizzlies were 16th in possessions per game (97.9) and 21st in field goal attempts per game (88.2). They ranked 6th in three-point attempts per game (37.8) but were 29th in three-point percentage (34.6%), making 13.1 threes per game (12th). Memphis was 19th in free throw attempts per game (21.0) and 23rd in free throw percentage (76.4%).

Ja Morant is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 9th in our league-wide projections. Desmond Bane is projected to be 2nd on the team and 28th in the league, with Bane also projected to lead Memphis in made threes, ranking 6th in the league. Jaren Jackson Jr. is projected to be 3rd on the team in scoring, ranking 34th in the league. Zach Edey and Marcus Smart round out the top five for Memphis.

Jazz Offense Breakdown

Last season, the Jazz finished 21st in our offensive power rankings, averaging 115.7 points per game (11th). They were 10th in possessions per game (99.4) and 9th in field goal attempts (89.9), but their field goal percentage was 19th (46.7%). They were 13th in three-pointers made per game (12.9) and 10th in attempts (36.5), shooting 35.4% from deep (22nd). Utah excelled at the free-throw line, leading the league with an 83.0% success rate, and they were 4th in offensive rebounds per game (12.2).

Lauri Markkanen, who averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds last season, is projected to lead the team in scoring and three-pointers, ranking 27th in our league-wide points projections. Collin Sexton, who posted 18.7 points and 4.9 assists per game last season, is projected to be the Jazz’s second-leading scorer. Keyonte George is projected to be 3rd in scoring and 2nd in three-pointers for Utah.

Grizzlies Team Defense

Memphis enters the season as our top-ranked team in defensive power rankings, coming off a year where they allowed 112.8 points per game, ranking 12th in the NBA. Despite their strong defensive reputation, they struggled to contain the three-point shot, allowing opponents to shoot 37.9% from beyond the arc, placing them 26th in the league. Inside the paint, they were slightly better, ranking 14th in two-point shooting percentage allowed at 54.3%.

Jaren Jackson Jr., one of the NBA’s premier shot-blockers, is currently sidelined, but Memphis still boasts a strong presence in the paint with Zach Edey. The Grizzlies ranked 4th in blocked shots last season, averaging 6.1 per game. Ja Morant contributes on the boards, ranking 2nd among point guards in rebounding, but Memphis finished 27th in defensive rebounding. They also averaged 8.2 steals per game, ranking 4th in the NBA.

Jazz Team Defense

Memphis enters the season as our top-ranked team in defensive power rankings, after allowing 112.8 points per game last year, which ranked 12th in the NBA. They were 19th in field-goal percentage allowed, at 47.5%, and struggled against the three, allowing opponents to shoot 37.9%, which ranked 26th in the league.

Memphis averaged 8.2 steals per game last season, ranking 4th in the NBA. Ja Morant is one of the top rebounders among point guards, and Zach Edey provides additional help inside. However, they’ll be without Jaren Jackson Jr., who is one of the league’s top shot-blockers. The Grizzlies ranked 4th in blocked shots last year and 27th in defensive rebounding.

Grizzlies vs Jazz Trends

• Memphis has a 2-3 record in their last five road games. In this stretch, they averaged 102 points per game while allowing 113. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
• Across their ten previous home games, Utah has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-9 while averaging 110 points per game.
• As the betting underdog, the Jazz have an ATS record of 3-0 in their last three games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 2-1.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Memphis has an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 5-5 straight up.

Grizzlies vs Jazz Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +3, the Jazz is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 228 and our model has the Grizzlies and Jazz finishing with a combined 278 points. Our pick is to take the over.

---

All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

---

* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.