Utah Jazz Week Five Outlook: Familiar foes on the road

2 of 5

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 02: Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz defends against Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on November 2, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

11/12 Utah at Memphis

6:00 pm MT – AT&T SportsNet/League Pass

Opponent record: 7-4

Season series: Grizzlies lead 2-0

While it’s no surprise that the Memphis Grizzlies have fared better this year so far than last thanks to the return of Mike Conley, there’s still no denying that they’ve exceeded expectations. They’ve looked every bit a playoff-caliber team at this early juncture, and they certainly can’t be slept on. They’re coming off a big-time overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers, defeating them 112-106.

Conley further showed his dominance in that game by going off for 32 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from deep to go along with six assists and four rebounds. It was his most complete performance of the season as he continues to round his way back into form after missing most of last year.

I’ll be honest, I’m nervous about this contest yet again. The Grizzlies have made mincemeat of the Jazz so far this season, and it hasn’t been pretty. Both losses featured the Jazz going stagnant on offense, and in the latter they simply had no answer for Marc Gasol or Conley.

Not only that, but the Jazz have been absolutely lit up by former Jazzman Shelvin Mack, who most recently against Utah went for 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from deep. That was certainly above his average, but Mack has undoubtedly put together a nice year so far. Ricky Rubio has been straight-up cooked by Memphis point guards, so he’ll have to do a much better job for Utah to have any shot.

In fairness, Mitchell didn’t play the last time Utah and Memphis faced off, and he had a very poor outing in the first game. A lot of the Jazz’s offensive woes can be attributed to this, but Memphis’ nightmarish defense also deserves credit. Utah will need to break out of their shooting funk to have any hope of earning revenge over the gritty Grizzlies.

I could see this game going either way, but with Mitchell back in commission, I think that the Jazz sort things out this time around and finally get a win over the Grizzlies. Utah will go into this game with two full days off, and ought to be refreshed, refocused and confident against a Memphis team that they’ve struggled against so far this year.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 97, Memphis 93

Home/Jazz News