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Utah Jazz Week 21 Outlook: A double dose of Pelicans with a side of Grizzlies

By Jared Woodcox

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 11: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 11, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 11: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots against Derrick Favors #15 of the Utah Jazz during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on March 11, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Mike Conley Utah Jazz Trade Ricky Rubio
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – OCTOBER 22: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives to the basket around Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 22, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

3/8 Utah at Memphis

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

Opponent record: 25-40

Season series: Grizzlies lead 2-1

The Jazz-Grizzlies series has been a weird one this season as when Memphis started the year hot, they toppled the Jazz in two contests in quite embarrassing fashion while the Jazz were experiencing a slow start. Fortunately, in the most recent meeting, the Jazz were able to pull of a narrow victory, but they’ve nonetheless been unconvincing against the Grizzlies.

Ironically enough, in Utah’s pair of losses to the Grizz, it was former Jazzman Shelvin Mack who did some of the most damage, netting 12 points on some big shots in the first game and going off for 19 in the second. Fortunately for the Jazz, Mack is no longer a member of the Grizzlies and instead finds himself on the roster of the Charlotte Hornets after the trade deadline, ensuring there will be no revenge game round three.

However, the player the Jazz will truly have to watch out for is the one that many of the Utah faithful were coveting at the trade deadline – Mike Conley. Even after surviving a deadline in which many presumed he would be dealt, Conley has been tremendous for Memphis. He did sit out in Sunday’s bout against OKC with ‘general soreness’ (also known as tanking soreness, amirite?) but if he plays on Friday, the Jazz will have their work cut out against him.

He put up upwards of 20 points in all three meetings against Utah earlier in the year and is simply one of the most dangerous scoring and facilitating point guards in the NBA despite often being overlooked. The new-look Grizzlies also have a slew of other dangerous ultra-competitors such as C.J. Miles, Delon Wright, Jonas Valanciunas and Avery Bradley that the Jazz will have to be prepared for.

In short, though this team sits in second to last in the Western Conference, recent changes at the trade deadline have seemingly instilled a new culture and effort in this squad, and they could be dangerous on Friday, especially if Conley plays and gets going.

The most interesting aspect of the bout will be to see how Ricky Rubio performs going up against the player that Jazz brass was allegedly trying to trade him for and that many Jazz fans wanted. When Rubio is on, the Jazz tend to thrive. And facing Conley may very well put a chip on Rubio’s shoulder and give him a little extra motivation.

Whether or not that ends up being the case, I’m confident in Utah’s chances in this one. The Grizzly victories earlier in the season felt a little fluky even at the time. Now with renowned Jazz killer Marc Gasol gone and revenge-man Shelvin Mack out of the picture, I believe Utah’s depth and overall edge in talent will lead them to victory, even in the difficult-to-play environment of the FedEx Forum against a gritty Memphis squad.

My Prediction: Jazz Win

Final Score: Utah 98, Memphis 92

Utah Jazz will rock the final 20, but a playoff series win will be tough. dark. Next

So in identical fashion to how they performed in Week 20, I have the Jazz going 3-0 yet again this week, extending their overall run to six straight victories. None of these bouts will be cakewalks, but as long as Utah continues to take care of business against clearly inferior teams, they should be in good shape.

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