The Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies close down their three-game regular-season series Wednesday night at FedExForum in Memphis, so here’s the best betting pick along with the latest odds on William Hill Sportsbook and all the key tips and betting trends.
The Jazz and Grizzlies played a two-game set in Salt Lake City last week, and Utah won on both occasions, outlasting Memphis 117-114 as 10-point favorites and 126-110 as 9-point favorites. This time, the Jazz are listed as 8-point road favorites with a total of 229.5 points.
The Grizzlies miss Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee). Justise Winslow (thigh) and Grayson Allen (hip) are listed as questionable, but their eventual absence won’t hurt Memphis much. On the other side, the Jazz are without Udoka Azubuike (ankle) and Elijah Hughes (ankle) who are already out of Utah’s rotation.
The Jazz routed Cleveland for their sixth consecutive victory
The Utah Jazz (35-11; 30-15-1 ATS) are rolling on a six-game winning streak following a 114-75 dismantling off the Cleveland Cavaliers this past Monday. They shut down the Cavs completely, allowing them to make just 34.9% of their field goals.
The Jazz went 19-for-41 from beyond the 3-point line (46.3%) while Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley combined for 37 points on 7-for-12 shooting from deep. Utah still leads the NBA in 3-point attempts (42.8) and 3-points made per game (17.0). Also, they are second in 3-point percentage (39.8%)
Donovan Mitchell (25.7 PPG, 5.5 APG) and Rudy Gobert (14.7 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 3.0 BPG) continue to lead the way for the Jazz who own the best record in the NBA and are 3.5 games ahead of their closest rival in the Western Conference. Utah scores 118.1 points per 100 possessions (3rd in the NBA) and surrenders 108.6 in a return (4th).
The Grizzlies beat Houston to get back on the winning track
The Memphis Grizzlies (22-22; 25-18-1 ATS) bounced back from those two straight defeats to Utah with a 120-110 road victory over the Houston Rockets last Monday. They overcame a 10-point deficit from the third period and managed to cover an 8-point spread thanks to some defensive stops down the stretch.
The Grizzlies allowed just six points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. Jonas Valanciunas finished the game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, while De’Anthony Melton added 23 points off the bench.
Memphis is ninth in the West, one game behind the eighth-seeded San Antonio, and half a game ahead of the tenth-placed Golden State. Six players average points in double figures, but the Grizzlies score just 110.3 points per 100 possessions (19th in the NBA). They allow 109.9 points in a return (7th) and rank 16th in the league in opponent 3-point percentage (37.0%).
Trends:
Utah:
- 2-5 ATS in the last seven games on the road
Memphis:
- 5-1 ATS in the last six games overall
- 6-1 ATS in the last seven home contests
The Jazz lean heavily on their 3-point shooting, while Rudy Gobert controls the paint and tortures his opponents on the glass. Jonas Valanciunas will have to step up for the Grizzlies who are a solid defensive team, and I think the hosts won’t lose by double digits.
Utah is the best team in the league for a few reasons. The Jazz possess great depth and love to be aggressive on the defensive end, but the Grizzlies also work hard defensive-wise. In that three-point loss at Utah last week, the Grizzlies held the Jazz to 45.9% shooting from the field and 36.4% from beyond the arc.
Pick: Take Memphis +10.0 at -143
The Total:
A lot will depend on Utah’s 3-point shooting. They dropped 126 points on the Grizzlies in a 16-point home victory thanks to some red-hot shooting (50.0% from the field and 42.2% from downtown).
I’m backing the Grizzlies to cover, hoping they will put on a strong defensive performance at home, so I will take the under on the totals as well. Memphis to cover remains my top betting pick here.
Pick: Go under 229.5 points at -110