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The Utah Jazz will host the Memphis Grizzlies for the fifth game of this best-of-seven playoff series. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Grizzlies-Jazz prediction and pick.
After dropping the first game at home, Utah has won three straight games to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. They will look to close out the gentleman's sweep with a win in Game 5 at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Memphis certainly still has a fighter's chance in a series that has been much more competitive than what the scoreboard depicts.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Grizzlies-Jazz odds.
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Jazz Odds
Memphis Grizzlies +9.5 (-109)
Utah Jazz -9.5 (-111)
Over 225.5 Points (-110)
Under 225.5 Points (-110)
Why The Grizzlies Could Cover The Spread
The Memphis Grizzlies may be down in the series, but their level of effort hasn't wavered. Although the Grizzlies have been down big in each of the last three games, they have fought back from double-digit deficits to provide some highly entertaining ball games. The Grizzlies ended up on the losing end of their home games, which may ultimately cost them the series.
Memphis will continue to fight as the coaching staff and players all know how important this playoff experience is. The Grizzlies have a bright future and playing well at their level of play in this series will be noticed by players looking for new homes next year. With Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Jaren Jackson Jr., this team has a nucleus that will certainly do a ton of damage in this league.
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Morant put together another great performance in Game 4 with 23 points and 12 assists. Jonas Valanciunas continued to pose problems for the Jazz down low as he added 14 points and 12 rebounds as well. Brooks and Jackson Jr. were in foul trouble early on and if they can limit the fouls in Game 5, Memphis should be able to keep up with Utah and keep this game within single digits.
Why The Jazz Could Cover The Spread
The Utah Jazz have to be pleased with the effort that they've seen on the other end of the floor. The Jazz certainly aren't concerned about this series, but the coaching staff has to be pleased that their club is having to fight for wins to start the postseason. Donovan Mitchell is starting to find his groove and this team would love to finish Memphis in Game 5 and carry the momentum into the second round.
Mitchell has been stellar in the last two games for Utah. He put together a solid all-around performance in Game 4 with 30 points, eight assists, two boards, two steals, and a block. Rudy Gobert, Jordan Clarkson, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Mike Conley provided their usual output in Game 4 as well. The depth that this team possesses makes them a legitimate championship contender and threat to cover night in and night out.
The Utah Jazz have been especially good on their home court this season. Utah is 32-6 to date in games played at the Vivint Arena. They outscore opponents by roughly nine points per game and are 24-13-1 ATS at home.
Final Grizzlies-Jazz Prediction & Pick
I am not convinced that the Memphis Grizzlies have any chance of coming back in this series. In order to come all the way back and win this series, the Grizzlies would have to win two games in Utah, which is virtually impossible. I'm predicting that Utah wins Game 5 and the series on Wednesday night, but not by double digits. Memphis will not stop fighting and has actually been playing very well through the first four games. Utah wins and Memphis covers in the fifth and final game of this first-round series.
FINAL PICK: Memphis Grizzlies +9.5 (-109)
