Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Predictions October 23rd 2024

Jazz vs Grizzlies October 23rd 2024

The Memphis Grizzlies (-150) are favored by 3 points (-3) over the Utah Jazz (+127) in this Western Conference matchup. The over/under line is set at 228 points.

This game will be played at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City and will start at 9:00 ET. KJZZ will have the TV coverage.

Grizzlies vs. Jazz Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz
• Where: Salt Lake City at Delta Center
• Date: Wednesday, October 23rd
• Betting Odds MEM -3, MEM -150 | UTA +127 O/U 228

The Grizzlies Can Win If…

Memphis enters the season ranked 7th in our power rankings, with a 70.4% chance of making the playoffs and a 14.6% chance of winning the division. Last season, the Grizzlies finished 27-55, placing 4th in their division and 13th in the Western Conference. They were 9-32 at home and 18-23 on the road.

Against the spread, Memphis went 26-56, including an 8-33 home record. As underdogs in 65 games, they went 20-45 straight-up. Their games averaged 218.6 points, with an over/under record of 38-43-1.

The Grizzlies enter the season ranked 22nd in our offensive power rankings after finishing last year 30th in points per game (105.8) and field goal percentage (43.5%). They were 16th in possessions per game (97.9) and 21st in field goal attempts (88.2). Memphis was 6th in three-point attempts (37.8) but 29th in three-point percentage (34.6%), averaging 13.1 made threes per game (12th). They also ranked 10th in offensive rebounds per game (10.9).

Ja Morant is projected to lead the team in scoring, ranking 9th in our league-wide projections. Desmond Bane is projected 28th and 6th in made threes, while Jaren Jackson Jr. is 34th in points. Zach Edey and Marcus Smart are projected 4th and 5th on the team in scoring, respectively. Luke Kennard, who is out, is projected 2nd on the team in made threes.

Memphis enters the season as our top-ranked defense, despite allowing 112.8 points per game last year, placing them 12th in the NBA. They ranked 19th in field-goal percentage allowed, with opponents shooting 47.5% against them, and they struggled to defend the three-point line, allowing 37.9%, which was 26th in the league.

Memphis was 4th in both steals (8.2 per game) and blocked shots (6.1 per game) last season. Ja Morant is one of the top rebounders at his position, and Zach Edey adds inside presence. However, Jaren Jackson Jr. is out, and the Grizzlies ranked 27th in defensive rebounding last year.

• Memphis has a 2-3 record in their last five road games. In this stretch, they averaged 102 points per game while allowing 113. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Grizzlies have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 1-4.
• Over their last three games, the Grizzlies have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Jazz Can Win If…

The Jazz enter the season ranked 25th in our power rankings, with just a 1.4% chance of making the playoffs. Last season, they finished 31-51, placing 4th in their division and 12th in the Western Conference. They were 21-20 at home but struggled on the road, going 10-31.

Utah was 30-52 against the spread and had a 45-35-2 over/under record, with their games averaging 236.2 points. They were 13-6 when favored and went 18-45 as the underdog.

Utah enters the season ranked 21st in our offensive power rankings after finishing 11th in points per game (115.7) last year. The Jazz were 10th in possessions per game (99.4) and 9th in field goal attempts (89.9), but they were 19th in field goal percentage (46.7%). They attempted 36.5 threes per game (10th) and made 12.9 (13th), shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc (22nd). They were 1st in free throw percentage (83.0%) and 4th in offensive rebounds per game (12.2).

Lauri Markkanen is projected to lead the Jazz in scoring, ranking 27th in our league-wide projections. He’s also projected to be 10th in 3-pointers made. Collin Sexton is projected to be 2nd on the team in scoring, ranking 59th in the league, while rookie Keyonte George is projected to be 3rd, ranking 86th. George is also projected to be 2nd on the team in 3-pointers made, ranking 41st in the league.

Utah struggled defensively last season, finishing 29th in points allowed per game (120.5) and ranking 29th in our defensive power rankings. They allowed opponents to shoot 39.4% from three-point range, the highest percentage in the NBA, and were 23rd in field-goal percentage allowed (48.8%).

Inside, Utah was better, ranking 18th in two-point shooting percentage allowed (55.1%). They were 9th in blocked shots, with Walker Kessler projected as one of the league’s top shot-blockers. Lauri Markkanen and John Collins are strong rebounders, helping Utah finish 13th in defensive rebounding.

• When looking at their past three home matchups, Utah has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 112 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• As the betting underdog, the Jazz have an ATS record of 3-0 in their last three games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 2-1.
• In their last three games, the Jazz have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +3, the Jazz is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 228, and our model projects the Grizzlies and Jazz to reach a combined total of 278 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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Familiar Challenges Await Grizzlies and Jazz in 2024-25 NBA Season Opener

The Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz will face off to open the 2024-25 NBA season in Salt Lake City, with both teams tackling recurring themes as they navigate their paths forward. The Grizzlies are once again battling injuries to key players, while the Jazz continue to focus on nurturing their young talent as part of a long-term rebuilding strategy.

Grizzlies’ Injury Struggles Continue

For Memphis, injuries are an all-too-familiar obstacle. While the return of star point guard Ja Morant is a huge lift after his suspension and shoulder injury cut short his 2023-24 season, the team enters the new campaign shorthanded. Jaren Jackson Jr., the team’s defensive anchor, is sidelined with a hamstring injury, compounding the Grizzlies’ health concerns.

In fact, Memphis led the league in games missed due to injury last season, with a staggering total of 578 player games. Unfortunately, the trend continues as they kick off this year’s regular season without key contributors: Luke Kennard (foot), rookie forward GG Jackson (foot), guard Vince Williams Jr. (shin), and Cam Spencer (ankle) are all expected to miss time.

Despite the injuries, there’s cautious optimism. According to ESPN, Memphis is ranked the 11th-best team in the NBA, with a projected 44.4 wins and a 69.3% chance of making the playoffs. If they can stay relatively healthy, the Grizzlies remain a formidable threat in the Western Conference, largely due to the presence of Morant and rising stars like Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, who were acquired to strengthen their backcourt. Rookie big man Zach Edey, the ninth overall pick, is also expected to play a significant role as the team navigates the early-season injuries.

Coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged the depth challenges ahead but remains confident: “We’ll have 12 guys going into that first night, and we’ll see what we’re willing to roll out there versus the Jazz,” Jenkins told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Jazz Focus on Youth Development Amid Rebuild

While the Grizzlies grapple with injury, the Utah Jazz enter the season with a different set of challenges. The team continues its rebuilding phase, prioritizing the development of its younger players. Utah’s roster now includes six players under 23 years old, such as Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh, all of whom are expected to see significant playing time as part of the Jazz’s long-term vision.

Despite having a core of veterans like Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson, and newly acquired John Collins and Patty Mills, the Jazz’s front office has made it clear that the focus is on cultivating youth. Jazz general manager Justin Zanik emphasized the importance of playing young talent, stating, “Our growth is going to come from developing our talent base so that we can win more games now and in the future. But what’s important about development is playing.”

The Jazz’s defensive shortcomings last season are also a major focus heading into the new year. Utah ranked among the worst defensive teams in the NBA, allowing 120.5 points per game (28th in the league) and giving up a league-high 39.5% shooting from three-point range. If the Jazz are to improve in 2024-25, fixing their defensive inefficiencies will be critical, especially with such a young rotation.

However, their projections for this season reflect the challenges of rebuilding: ESPN expects Utah to win just 33 games, with a slim 2.7% chance of making the playoffs. Still, the franchise’s commitment to building a foundation for future success is evident, highlighted by Markkanen’s new five-year, $238 million contract extension, signaling the team’s belief in his ability to lead them through this process.

Head coach Will Hardy expressed the importance of Markkanen’s leadership: “When the best player on the team wants to be here, it shows that Lauri is committed to the Jazz and really believes in what we’re doing.”

Season Outlook for Grizzlies and Jazz

As the Grizzlies and Jazz prepare to square off, their respective journeys are set on different timelines. The Grizzlies, despite their injury concerns, are viewed as playoff contenders. With a healthy lineup, Memphis has the talent to be a force in the Western Conference, particularly if key players like Morant, Bane, and Jackson can perform at their peak once fully fit.

For the Jazz, this season is less about immediate results and more about building for the future. Although they have a strong veteran presence, their focus remains on developing their younger players, with an eye toward future seasons when they hope their current prospects will be ready to lead a competitive team.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 NBA season opener between the Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz presents a contrast in approaches: Memphis, a playoff hopeful dealing with injury woes, and Utah, a team fully immersed in a rebuild centered around youth development. For both teams, familiar challenges lie ahead, but their success this season will depend on how effectively they manage these ongoing narratives.

Grizzlies fans will be watching closely to see if their team can overcome the injury bug and live up to playoff expectations, while Jazz supporters will focus on the growth of their young talent, trusting that the team’s long-term strategy will eventually pay off.

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