NBA: Utah Jazz VS Memphis Grizzlies Pick and Predictions 02/15/2023

Game: 8:10 PM ET,  Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

Venue:  FedEx Forum, Memphis, Tennessee

TV:  NBA League Pass

Jazz: 29-20, 10th place Western Conference

Grizzlies: 34-22, 2nd place Western Conference

BetMGM:  Point Spread: Grizzlies -10.5, O/U 238.5

PointsBet: Point Spread: Grizzlies -10, O/U 238.5

Fanduel: Point Spread: Grizzlies -10, O/U 239

Jazz: PG Collin Sexton, SG Jordan Clarkson, SF Lauri Markkanen, PF Kelly Olynyk, C Walker Kessler

Grizzlies: PG Ja Morant, SG Desmond Bane, SF Dillon Brooks, PF Jaren Jackson JR, C Brandon Clarke

A Western Conference battle of teams with different goals and on different trajectories.  It is no secret that the West is VERY bunched up and a few wins or losses can move any of the “middle nine” teams in any direction in the standings.  It is also no secret that Phoenix just added SF Kevin Durant that could kill the dreams of lots of teams if it works right away (it should).  However the Utah Jazz don’t have to worry about all of that.  Since opening the season as a surprise quality team that rose all the way to 1st place in the standings.. They have been on a losing free fall.  The Jazz made very drastic trades in the offseason (Mitchell, Gobert) to get pieces and picks and rebuild… Only they discovered that a couple of the pieces were ready to be great now… and they chose the wrong path.  At the trade deadline they shuttled off good players for Russell Westbrook, whom they do not plan to play meaningful minutes if any… They got a pick and this and that… BUT it was the wrong path.  Windows for “great” are very small… when you choose to go after a high draft pick in the NBA you are choosing to lose… and when you choose to lose you get it…. The Memphis Grizzlies have taken some lumps along the way to 2nd place in the West.  They have a very deep team that is led by a very exciting star in PG Ja Morant.  Some injury problems have slowed them down this season, but the biggest problem is the recent Phoenix upgrade. The great betting opportunity here is in knowing whether the points spread is accurate or “stupidity”.  

The Utah Jazz have won only 5 of their last 10 games.  They went 5-4-1 ATS during that run.  The losing has contributed to the quick fall in the standings.  The trading didn’t help the immediate prospects even if it will help the future prospects. They won their last game against the Indiana Pacers 123-117… in that game they got 29 points & 11 rebounds from new Star SF Lauri Markkanen.  They got 29 points from SG Jordan Clarkson… 18 points from PG Collin Sexton and 18 points (and 10 rebounds) from PF Kelly Olynyk. They have a well-rounded roster of growing and improving players… they just do not have immediate goals of winning.

The Memphis Grizzlies have won ONLY 3 of their last 10 games.  They have suffered injuries and problems with suspension.  They are a team that needs a boost.. And yet they are still in 2nd place.  They made no drastic trade deadline moves.,..history may not remember that? But the lack of a championship ring this year will remind Grizzlies watchers.  They lost their last game to the Boston Celtics 119-109.  In the game they got 25 points from PG Ja Morant to go with 6 rebounds and 7 assists.  They got 18 points from SG Desmond Bane.  They were without their starting Center Stephen Adams… and they got very little from Pf Jaren Jackson Jr who fouled out after 20 minutes of playing time.

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Our prediction for Wednesday, February 15th is…. Grizzlies 111 - Jazz 108

Bet on the Jazz.  A 10 point spread is dumb.  The NBA literally tells you all the time that anyone can take anyone else wire to wire… like the Celtics beating the spread against Milwaukee while they were missing 3 stars.  Bet on the Jazz.

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12 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER the last 3 seasons.

The Jazz are 21-8 ATS as an underdog THIS SEASON,

The Grizzlies are 51-30 ATS after a non-conference game the last 3 seasons.

Jazz: SF Lauri Markkanen. Lauri is an actual star after his first 3-4 season in the league.  It didn’t look like he would get there ever since he was hurt.. Then played.,.. Then was hurt again. He feels like a Dario Saric who actually popped.  The popping has been at all-star levels and the Jazz will keep this kid forever now.

Grizzlies: PG Ja Morant.  Ja is the winner of his NBA draft.  Taken the next pick after Zion Williamson… Ja has actually played at a Star level for almost entire seasons.  His killer focus and athleticism has allowed the Grizzlies front office to build around him… whereas Zion has held his team BACK from building anything.

Jazz: Will “hardly” Hardy

Grizzlies: Taylor “huh?’ Jenkins