[6:00 PM] Jazz @ Grizzlies

Who will WIN this matchup?

Utah Jazz (17-10)

@ Memphis Grizzlies (18-10)

 

• The line for this game is Utah by 1.5 points.

• The Memphis Grizzlies went 7-2 in nine games without star point guard Mike Conley in the lineup and promptly lost in his return from transverse process fractures in his lower back. The Grizzlies get a chance to grind their way back into the win column when the surging Utah Jazz visit on Sunday.

• Hood buried the game-winning 3-pointer in Friday’s 103-100 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks while Hayward collected 13 points, nine rebounds and a team-high four assists. Hayward sat out Utah’s lone loss in the last seven games – a 106-99 setback to NBA-best Golden State on Dec. 8 – but was solid in leading the offense the last three games since returning to the lineup while relying on Rudy Gobert to anchor the defense. Gobert collected 16 points and 10 rebounds on Friday to record his sixth straight double-double and is averaging 16.8 points on 78 percent shooting and 13.5 rebounds in that span.

• Memphis is still without its third max-contract player in Chandler Parsons (knee) but is slowly getting healthier with Conley back and playing decent minutes. The Grizzlies, who are known for their work on the defensive end and rank second in opponents scoring (97.3 points) behind the Jazz (95.4) in the Western Conference, were disappointed with their effort level in Friday’s setback.

• Conley (8,969) passed Pau Gasol (8,966) to become the Grizzlies’ franchise leader in points scored.

• Grizzlies SF James Ennis (calf) is not expected to play Sunday, but could return next week.

• Memphis earned a 102-96 win at Utah on Nov. 14 behind 18 points and seven assists from Conley.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Utah Jazz

Confidence: 4/10

Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Previous Pick
Next Pick