Utah Jazz (52-20) vs Memphis Grizzlies (40-34)
Game Info: Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 9:30 pm (Vivint Smart Home Arena)
Betting Odds: Utah Jazz -8.5 -- Over/Under: 215.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz meet Sunday in game one of the NBA West Playoffs at the Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The Memphis Grizzlies look for a win after beating the Warriors in a play-in game on Friday. The Memphis Grizzlies are averaging 113.3 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 112.3 points on 46.2 percent shooting. Ja Morant is averaging 19.1 points and 7.4 assists while Dillon Brooks is averaging 17.2 points and 2.9 rebounds. Jonas Valanciunas is the third double-digit scorer and Jaren Jackson Jr. is grabbing 5.6 rebounds. The Memphis Grizzlies are shooting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 77.1 percent from the free throw line. The Memphis Grizzlies are allowing 36.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 46.5 rebounds per game.
The Utah Jazz enter the playoffs after winning seven of their last nine games. The Utah Jazz are averaging 116.4 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 107.2 points on 44.7 percent shooting. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 26.4 points and 5.2 assists while Jordan Clarkson is averaging 18.4 points and 2.5 assists. Bojan Bogdanovic is the third double-digit scorer and Mike Conley is dishing six assists. The Utah Jazz are shooting 38.9 percent from beyond the arc and 79.9 percent from the free throw line. The Utah Jazz are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 48.3 rebounds per game.
The Grizzlies are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Jazz are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Sunday games. The under is 6-1 in Grizzlies last 7 overall. The over is 23-11 in Jazz last 34 Sunday games. The over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Utah and 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
The Memphis Grizzlies have played some of their best ball on the road this season where they win by an average of 2.7 points and shoot 48.1 percent from the field. The Grizzlies have also played two high pressure games this week, which should get this young team prepared for the playoffs while also building a rhythm. The Utah Jazz have been the most consistent team in the league this season and win at home by an average of 13.2 points. However, the Jazz also haven't played in a week and who knows what you're going to get from Donovan Mitchell who hasn't played in a month. I'll take my chances with the Grizzlies and free points.
Randy’s Pick Memphis Grizzlies +8.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Follow Randy Chambers on Twitter @WizardOf0dds