The Utah Jazz beating the Memphis Grizzlies could have massive implications for the lottery because it puts them in position to have lower odds. The Sacramento Kings' win over the Golden State Warriors arguably mitigates the damage. However, one could also argue that Utah owed Memphis one.
Yeah, Jazz fans probably know what this is about: the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. It's been over two months since the deal went down, and he barely played for the team. And yet, he's the most exciting addition the Jazz have had since... Carlos Boozer?
Even better than that, as more time has passed, it's clear how much smarter the Jazz look for making that deal. Sure, they had to give up their best draft assets, but when you consider how it prevented them from fruitlessly pursuing Austin Reaves, or the surging Kyle Filipowski could have been included in the deal, it has only continued to look better on Utah's end.
We're more than the sure that the Jazz didn't intentionally win last night's game to do the Grizzlies a solid. However, with everything bound to go Utah's way the next year, Memphis sending them JJJ on a silver platter played a hand in that.
So in a way, last night's win in the midst of their tank felt right.
Repaying the favor may not look be too good if Memphis wins the lottery
In case any Jazz fan isn't aware, the biggest win from the NBA lottery for them would be simply retaining their pick. Utah isn't completely out of the woods on that front, but they're about as close as it gets to the point that they would have the worst luck ever if their pick goes to OKC.
However, by beating the Grizzlies, the Jazz have also made it possible for them to optimistically wind up with the sixth-best lottery odds. That won't be as good as the Jazz, no matter what, but wins like last night could also be the difference between the Jazz winning the lottery and the Grizzlies doing the same.
If Memphis wins the lottery (something they've never done before, and neither have the Jazz, for that matter) or gets a higher pick as a direct result of what Utah did for them last night, and the Jazz get a worse placement, that will eradicate any sentimental feeling towards the Grizzlies, regardless of the benefits of the JJJ trade.
But there's only one way to know for sure. Even if beating the Grizzlies hurt the Jazz's tank, it felt like the latter owed the former. But they may have done them a little too big of a return favor when it's all said and done.