The Memphis Grizzlies will fight for their survival in the playoffs this Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. Will the Grizzlies have success in extending the series to a Game 6? Or will the Jazz finish off Ja Morant and company? Check out our preview of this game below.
The Grizzlies are now a loss away from getting eliminated, as they suffered a 120-113 setback at the hands of the hot-shooting Jazz in Game 4. Ja Morant had 23 points in that game, while Dillon Brooks and Jaren Jackson Jr. each had 21. Jackson’s performance was a welcome sight for the Grizzlies, who needs an all-hands-on-deck approach against the Jazz. Even though they have been taking a beating in this series, the Grizzlies are still finding success in the paint. They had 64 points in the paint in Game 4, 24 more than what Utah scored in the shaded area. However, the Grizzlies’ outside shots are simply not falling, and they might have to minimize on their 3-point shot attempts and continue attacking the lane and making open shots inside the arc. Memphis is shooting just 29.8 percent from deep in the first round but is second in the playoffs with a 68.4 percent shooting on 2-point attempts.
The Grizzlies are 10-3 against the spread in their last 10 games on a Wednesday.
It’s all about closing the series now for the Jazz. After losing the series opener, the Jazz have demolished the Grizzlies in each of the next three games. In Game 4, Utah shot 45.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc. Memphis couldn’t keep up with the Jazz’s outside shooting, and the Grizzlies are learning them over and over again in the series. The Jazz are knocking down 41.1 percent of their 3-point shots in the series, while the Grizzlies are only making 31.9 percent of theirs. Donovan Mitchell is leading the Jazz in the first round with 28.0 points per game, but he’s barely the only problem that’s making Memphis’ head hurt. Mike Conley Jr. is averaging 20.0 points, Bojan Bogdanovic is averaging 18.8 points, and Jordan Clarkson is generating 17.3 points while coming off the bench.
The Jazz are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games overall.
