PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK (Rogers' 10* NBA!) >> Up $8000 in NBA This Season!
(NBA) Memphis vs. Utah,
Point Spread: 7.50 | -103.00 Memphis (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 7.50 | -103.00 Memphis (Away)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 27-21 Memphis Grizzlies will be in Salt Lake City to face the 30-18 Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies are 10 games out in the Southwest and the Jazz lead the Northwest by 1 1/2 games. The Jazz currently own the West's no. 5 seed and while the Grizzlies are 7th, they are well inside the playoff 'cut line,' six games clear of the 9th-place Blazers.
Memphis: Center Marc Gasol (20.8-6.1-4.2) is headed to the All Star game and comes in averaging 31 points over hios last six games, including scoring 32 twice and 42 points in his last three. PF Zach Randolph (13.8 & 8.3) asked for increased playing time and he's had sixth double-doubles in January and has averaged 14.9 & 9.9 this month. PG Conley (18.6 & 6.3 APG) is averaging career highs in both points and assists but failed to make the All Star game. He s the team's only other double digit scorer. Defense is still a staple for Memphis, which ranks third in points allowed (99.7), defensive shooting percentage (43.7) and three-point percentage (34.0).
Utah: The Jazz saw Gordon Hayward earn an All Star bid, Utah's first in six seasons, Utah has an NBA All-Star on the roster. Hayward is in the midst of the best season of his seven-year career and is averaging 21.8 points (along with 5.7 RPG and 3.4 APG) after scoring 24 in Thursday's 96-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 26-year-old's emergence as a big-time player is another prime reason why Utah is one of just six NBA teams to reach 30 victories. Center Rudy Gobert (12.8 & 12.6) has also played a vital role in Utah's rise this season but did not earn an NBA All-Star selection. He was snubbed despite leading the league in total blocks (124), blocks per game (2.6) and points per shot (1.87). He also ranks second in field goal percentage (66.1). Utah ranks 1st in points allowed (95.4) and second in FG percentage (43.3).
The pick:I like what I see with the Jazz but the Grizzlies have won two of the previous three games this season, most recently beating the Jazz 88-79 on Jan. 8 behind 19 points and nine assists from Conley. Utah has often been under-priced this season but not here, in a meeting of excellent defensive teams. Take the points and make Memphis a 10* play.
Memphis: Center Marc Gasol (20.8-6.1-4.2) is headed to the All Star game and comes in averaging 31 points over hios last six games, including scoring 32 twice and 42 points in his last three. PF Zach Randolph (13.8 & 8.3) asked for increased playing time and he's had sixth double-doubles in January and has averaged 14.9 & 9.9 this month. PG Conley (18.6 & 6.3 APG) is averaging career highs in both points and assists but failed to make the All Star game. He s the team's only other double digit scorer. Defense is still a staple for Memphis, which ranks third in points allowed (99.7), defensive shooting percentage (43.7) and three-point percentage (34.0).
Utah: The Jazz saw Gordon Hayward earn an All Star bid, Utah's first in six seasons, Utah has an NBA All-Star on the roster. Hayward is in the midst of the best season of his seven-year career and is averaging 21.8 points (along with 5.7 RPG and 3.4 APG) after scoring 24 in Thursday's 96-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 26-year-old's emergence as a big-time player is another prime reason why Utah is one of just six NBA teams to reach 30 victories. Center Rudy Gobert (12.8 & 12.6) has also played a vital role in Utah's rise this season but did not earn an NBA All-Star selection. He was snubbed despite leading the league in total blocks (124), blocks per game (2.6) and points per shot (1.87). He also ranks second in field goal percentage (66.1). Utah ranks 1st in points allowed (95.4) and second in FG percentage (43.3).
The pick:I like what I see with the Jazz but the Grizzlies have won two of the previous three games this season, most recently beating the Jazz 88-79 on Jan. 8 behind 19 points and nine assists from Conley. Utah has often been under-priced this season but not here, in a meeting of excellent defensive teams. Take the points and make Memphis a 10* play.
