The Memphis Grizzlies (32-36) face the Utah Jazz (42-25) Wednesday, at 2:30 p.m. ET in the Orlando bubble. We analyze the Grizzlies-Jazz NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Grizzlies vs. Jazz: Key injuries
Grizzlies
- SF Justise Winslow (hip) out
- PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
- PG Tyus Jones (knee) out
Jazz
- SF Bojan Bogdanovic (wrist) out
- PG Nigel Williams-Goss (ankle) out
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Grizzlies vs. Jazz: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Jazz 105, Grizzlies 102
Moneyline (ML)
For as bad as the Grizzlies (+180) have looked they are still in control of their own destiny when it relates to the Western Conference playoffs.
Memphis has lost all three of its games since the restart and all to teams with a worse record, chasing them for the 8-seed in the West. The remaining opponents for the Grizzlies have all clinched a playoff berth.
The Jazz (-223) handled business opening night of the restart, beating the New Orleans Pelicans, but have lost back-to-back games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s unclear what exactly Utah is playing for other than getting the team back into a rhythm since they’ve also clinched a playoff berth and there is no home-court advantage to be earned.
Utah is 2-1 in the season series and covered the spread in both wins. The loss of Jackson (Memphis’ second-leading scorer and leading three-point shooter) is catastrophic for the Grizzlies.
His absence and the Grizzlies ripping defeat out of the jaws of victory in their first three games of the restart makes the Memphis moneyline a no-go.
As far as the Jazz’s moneyline, from here on out I will remind people of the Brooklyn Nets beating the Milwaukee Bucks on Aug. 5 outright as an 18.5-point dog as the quintessential reason why you DO NOT PLAY HEAVY FAVORITES IN REGULAR SEASON NBA GAMES.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Even though I keep picking Memphis and they keep losing, the GRIZZLIES +5.5 (-110) is the play.
The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Utah, which obviously provided a bigger home-court advantage than some decals and injected digital crowd noise in the bubble will give them. The Jazz are 2-13-2 ATS in their last 17 games as a favorite.
Furthermore, the Jazz are still tinkering with their offensive scheme since the loss of Bogdanovic (their second-leading scorer and leading three-point shooter). Without Bogdanovic, the Jazz will be easier to guard, thus making Memphis plus the points more valuable.
Over/Under (O/U)
Like I’ve already stated, both teams are without their second-leading scorers and leading three-point shooters. There should be less floor spacing and that’ll help both defenses. Utah has a very good defense whereas Memphis is more below-average. Given the must-win spot, plus a spotty current Jazz offense, I LIKE OVER 223.5 (-110).
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