The 8th seed Memphis Grizzlies had a very impressive performance to take Game 1 against the top-seeded Utah Jazz on their home court. With that said, it’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Grizzlies-Jazz prediction and pick.
Memphis had two very strong outings against the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors for the play-in games. They continued their momentum into Game 1 against the Jazz and they came out on top by three points behind the offensive production of both Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks. The Jazz, however, will be with their star player Donovan Mitchell on Wednesday for Game 2 who did not suit up for Game 1.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Grizzlies-Jazz odds.
NBA Odds: Grizzlies-Jazz Odds
Memphis Grizzlies +8.5 (-105)
Utah Jazz -8.5 (-115)
Over 218 Points (-110)
Under 218 Points(-110)
Why The Grizzlies Could Cover The Spread
The Grizzlies went into Game 1 with the same energy they had during their two play-in games and simply stunned this Utah team. The most notable player and the X-factor for Memphis is Dillon Brooks who had himself 31 points from 13-of-26 shooting. Brooks averaged 17.2 points during the regular season and will need to come out with the same aggression for the rest of the series.
As a team, the Grizzlies only had four players who scored in double-digits in Game 1 and more likely than not, Brooks won't put up 30+ every night. With Mitchell back for the Jazz as well, this is going to be a much more difficult task. That said, the Grizzlies, who were the 7th best defensive rated team in the league, will need to further zone in on the defensive end especially on Donovan to prevent him from getting on any sort of rhythm for his first game in more than a month. If this Memphis team can do that, the Grizzlies will be in good shape to keep the game close in order to cover the spread and perhaps pick up a huge win to go up in the series 2-0.
Why The Jazz Could Cover The Spread
The Jazz had the best record in the Association this season even despite playing a long stretch of games without their star player, as well as Mike Conley at times. The starters for Utah will all be healthy on Wednesday and suiting up for Game 2. All eyes will be on the Jazz who fell at home for Game 1 and in particular Mitchell who will play in his first game in a while on Wednesday.
Coach Quin Snyder's team is very well balanced and had six players score in double digits in Game 1. With the return of their star shooting guard, the offense should look even better in Game 2. On the defensive end of the floor, Utah was ranked 3rd out of the entire association. This is mainly because of the defensive presence of Rudy Gobert in the paint who is averaging 13.5 defensive rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. The key for the Jazz will be to come out with more energy and a sense of urgency from the start to win Game 2.
Final Grizzlies-Jazz Prediction & Pick
The Jazz is top five in the entire league in both offensive and defensive ratings in the league which is significantly better than the Grizzlies. Utah who was a bit empty-handed for Game 1 will be at full strength on Wednesday for Game 2 with the return of Mitchell who should have an immediate impact on his team with his presence alone on the offensive end of the floor and the intensity that he plays with on the defensive end. The Jazz are a very experienced team and should play with a sense of urgency out of the gate; and for that reason, they should win Game 2 and even up the series.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION & PICK FOR GRIZZLIES-JAZZ: MEM 108, UTA 126 (UTA -8.5)
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