It makes no sense why the Grizzlies are playing Utah twice in a row on the road, but here we are. The Grizzlies are looking to avenge a narrow loss on Saturday night in the first of the two matchups. It remains to be seen whether tonight’s game will be trick or treat. There are a few things the Grizzlies can do, however, to improve their chances of getting a treat.
Let’s get into it.
Scary hours in Utah
This Utah Jazz team is a shell of what it once was. Two of their centerpiece players, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, found new teams this summer. What remains is Kelly Olynyk, Lauri Markkanen, and some other dudes, plus Mike Conley who did not play in Saturday’s game.
Inexplicably, Utah is now 5-2 on the season.
Memphis was without its leader, Ja Morant, and ancillary player Jake LaRavia. Both were listed as being out with a non-covid-related illness. Morant seemed off when they played Sacramento, and he watched the first matchup with the Jazz from the team’s hotel. The loss moved Memphis to 4-2 on the season.
Fingers are crossed that Morant will play in the rematch Monday night. Currently, he and LaRavia are both listed as questionable.
So how do the Grizzlies solve a problem like this Jazz team without Ja Morant?
Perimeter defense is key. In their first meeting, Utah beat Memphis from the three-point line. The Grizzlies shot a better overall percentage from distance (44%) but the Jazz knocked down more total — 19 made threes versus 12 made by Memphis. If the Grizzlies can run the Jazz off the long line while managing to still score from beyond the arc, their chances against Utah improve tremendously.
Go to work in the paint. In Saturday’s game, Memphis scored 70 of their 123 points in the paint. The Grizzlies have been one of the best paint-scoring teams in the league for multiple seasons. When outside shots are not falling, drive to the basket.
YGTMYFT – You have GOT to make your free throws. This should need no further explanation.
BIG Memphis – The Grizzlies need big nights from whoever can deliver.
Dillon Brooks and Desmond Bane each put up over 30 points in the teams’ first matchup. The Grizzlies need that version of Dillon Brooks again tonight. This season’s version of Desmond Bane, it appears, is one that nonchalantly drops multiple 30-point games in a row.
Trick or Treat time:
The Grizzlies face off against the Jazz for the second game in a row tonight. Tip-off is at 8 PM CDT.
