The Memphis Grizzlies were able to pull out a tough win over the Golden State Warriors in the final play-in game, earning a spot in the NBA Playoffs and a first-round date with the No. 1 seed Utah Jazz.
The Grizz are a feel-good story but will be in tough in Game 1, opening as heavy NBA betting underdogs as this game will be played at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City — where the Jazz went 31-5 during the regular season.
Will Memphis really challenge Utah in Game 1? Find out in our Grizzlies vs Jazz picks and predictions for Sunday, May 23, with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.
Grizzlies vs Jazz game info
• Location: Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
• Date: Sunday, May 23, 2021
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
Grizzlies vs Jazz odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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NBA Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonTwinSpires Sportsbook opened Utah as 8.5-point chalk and moved to -9, then retreated to -8, where the line stands at 6:45 p.m. ET. Although the spread dropped, the Jazz are attracting 65 percent of tickets and 72 percent of money. The total moved from 215.5 to 218, then backed up to 216.5, despite the Over taking 82 percent of tickets/77 percent of cash.
Check out the full line movement for this gameGrizzlies vs Jazz series odds
Grizzlies: +850
Jazz: -1,400
Grizzlies vs Jazz betting preview
Injuries
Grizzlies: None to report.
Jazz: Donovan Mitchell G (Probable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Grizzlies are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as underdogs. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Jazz.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
The Grizzlies are riding an emotional high after winning back-to-back games in the play-in tournament. Memphis now takes on a Utah team that was an absolute powerhouse during the regular season, and the Grizzlies really don’t stack up well in this matchup with the Jazz.
Memphis’ only legitimate positional advantage in this series is at point guard, where sophomore stud Ja Morant has the edge over veteran Mike Conley. However, Conley is an elite defender and is more than capable offensively, and he’s going to compete at a high level in this series — so it’s hard to find a way for Memphis to pull this series out.
The Grizzlies do, however, have a good opportunity to make things interesting in Game 1. Not only is Memphis coming off of two playoff-like games and facing a Utah team that has been sitting at home for a week, but the Jazz are also getting Donovan Mitchell back after he missed more than a month with a right ankle sprain.
Mitchell is an unbelievable offensive player and he’ll eventually resume being a huge part of Utah's offense. But the early returns could prove to be somewhat disappointing: the Jazz were winning games at a high clip without Mitchell and their offense was working without the young star. That means it could be difficult for Quin Snyder’s team to incorporate a ball-dominant player.
Mitchell is also the worst defender in Utah’s closing lineup, giving Memphis somebody to really seek out and attack late in games. The Jazz should ultimately come away with a victory here, but Game 1 — and possibly Game 2 — seems like the Grizzlies’ best chance to make something happen, or at least keep it close.
PREDICTION: Grizzlies +8.5 (+100)
Over/Under pick
Two of the three meetings between these teams in the regular season went Over the total, and the one Under was a game in which both teams shot uncharacteristically poor from behind the 3-point line.
This game figures to be somewhat high scoring, especially with Mitchell being worked back into the lineup. Memphis knows that it has to attack Mitchell and make him defend, so look for that to be a factor in this game.
The Grizzlies are vastly improved as a defensive team this year, but they are capable of getting hot offensively. Meanwhile, the Jazz are just a machine on offense. Utah was fourth in the NBA in offensive rating this season, and the team should be able to generate good looks regularly in this series.
All in all, the Over seems like the move in this one.
PREDICTION: Over 216.0 (-110)
Player prop pick
Jonas Valanciunas has been a monster for Memphis this season, and he’s coming off a 12-rebound game — in just 26 minutes due to foul trouble — against Golden State in the play-in tournament.
The big man is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game on the year but he has really turned it on as of late. Also, in three meetings with the Jazz this season, Valanciunas averaged 14.3 rebounds per contest.
Even with Rudy Gobert inside for Utah, there has been no keeping Valanciunas off the glass. Look for him to make his mark there once again tonight.
PREDICTION: Jonas Valanciunas Over 13.5 Rebounds (-102)
Grizzlies vs Jazz betting card
- Grizzlies +8.5 (+100)
- Over 216.0 (-110)
- Jonas Valanciunas Over 13.5 Rebounds (-102)
Picks made on 5/23/2021 at 12:47 a.m. ET
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