3/30 Utah vs. Memphis
7:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass
Opponent record: 20-54
Season series: Jazz lead 2-0
The Jazz are currently undefeated against the Memphis Grizzlies this season, but neither victory came particularly easy. In both contests, Memphis was allowed to hang around to some degree before Utah took control. The Jazz did much better in the most recent contest as they used a big second quarter to jump way ahead and hold onto it for good, but the pesky Grizzlies still can be somewhat troubling.
And although they’ve lost eight of their last ten and recently suffered a 61-point blowout at the hands of the mediocre Charlotte Hornets, they’ve also earned some impressive wins of late including over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday and the Denver Nuggets 10 days ago. Both of those results helped the Jazz out immensely, but hopefully the Grizz won’t choose to play spoiler for a third time against a Northwest Division foe on Friday.
They have definitely seemed to pick and choose when they’re going to show up and compete of late, and if Friday’s bout in Utah is one of those random dates, it could result in a disappointing loss for the Jazz for the second week in a row.
Luckily, the Jazz played a very good game against the Grizzlies last time around once all was said and done, shooting 40.6 percent from three and out-rebounding Memphis 48-39. They certainly seemed to fix their woes from the first contest against the Grizzlies in the second half of last game, so if that play carries over, Utah should easily log a win over a dismal Memphis team, especially on their home court.
As Marc Gasol proved in last night’s win over Minnesota in which he logged 20 points and 10 rebounds, he’s still very much a threat that the Jazz will need to contain. Not only that, but the inexperienced Grizzles have several hungry and scrappy young players that can also be dangerous opponents.
Still, with how much is at stake and considering that Utah just barely had a fluke loss to the Hawks last week, I think the Jazz will put it together against the Grizzlies and come out on top to earn a second straight victory for the week.
My Prediction: Jazz Win
Final Score: Utah 92, Memphis 81