The Utah Jazz are in a rough stretch, but they are still a formidable opponent that can’t be taken lightly. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies are also dealing with inconsistency, but Ja Morant and co. have a shot at going 2-0 this season versus the Jazz. Who wins this Saturday showdown?
Catch this game live on Saturday, January 29, at 9 AM, Manila time.
Away: Utah Jazz (30-19/15-9 on the road)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Mike Conley
- SG: Joe Ingles
- SF: Bogdan Bogdanovic
- PF: Royce O’Neale
- C: Hassan Whiteside
Without their top two players, the Jazz suffered yet another loss on Thursday, falling prey to the Phoenix Suns at home, 105-97. It’s the Jazz’s third loss in a row and 10th this month of January. Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell both sat out the Suns game due to concussion and left calf strain, respectively. It’s uncertain whether any of them would play against the Grizzlies, but in any case, the Jazz have the depth to contend.
Mike Conley Jr., Joe Ingles, and Jordan Clarkson can get things done on offense along with Bojan Bogdanovic, who paced the Jazz with 24 points in a close 119-118 home loss to Memphis back in November. Utah is also hoping that Hassan Whiteside can pick up where he left off after a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds versus Phoenix. Whiteside is a bit of a volatile asset for Utah, but he’s still a considerable presence in the paint. He is averaging 17.7 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per 36 minutes. He had 12 points, six rebounds, and two blocks in just 15 minutes in the first meeting with the Grizzlies. Utah is 5-4-1 against the spread in its last 10 games away from Salt Lake City.
Home: Memphis Grizzlies (33-17/17-9 at home)
Projected Starting Five:
- PG: Ja Morant
- SG: Desmond Bane
- SF: Ziaire Williams
- PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.
- C: Steven Adams
The Grizzlies have been oscillating between wins and losses of late, so consistency is one of their priorities right now. Since the end of their 11-game win streak, the Grizzlies have gone 3-3, without winning or losing back to back. In their most recent outing, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies took down the San Antonio Spurs last Thursday on the road, 118-110. Morant has been punching opposing defenses in the mouth with his spectacular play of late.
The electrifying guard has averaged 34.4 points, while shooting 50.4 FG% and 37.7 3FG%, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in the last five Memphis games. Devin Booker just dropped 43 points on the heads of Utah defenders, and it’s looking like the Jazz’s defense – that is in the league’s bottom half in terms of points allowed per game to opposing guards – is going to be lit up again this Saturday. Morant and Desmond Bane combined for 60 points in Memphis’ November win versus the Jazz, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 26 points. Memphis is 5-1 ATS in its last six games as the home team.
PREDICTIONS:
Spread: The Jazz will come up with a much better performance against the young guns of Memphis. Taking Utah (+3) to cover in this game.
Over/Under: The offense flows fast in this game, with both teams inside the top 10 in adjusted offensive rating. The Over (224.5) looks good.
