Grizzlies vs Jazz Picks and Predictions: Markkanen Continues Explosive Play

The Utah Jazz have wasted no time in emerging as the biggest surprise of the early-season NBA schedule — and they’ll try to keep their fast start going tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Written off after shifting into rebuild mode this summer, the Jazz are 5-2 and have already pulled off a string of upsets, including wins over the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and... these very Grizzlies.

Memphis (4-2) will be out for revenge here after an agonizing 124-123 loss to the Jazz on Saturday. The Grizzlies were without star man Ja Morant (illness) that night, but Desmond Bane continued his red-hot shooting on the way to 32 points and Dillon Brooks chipped in with 30.

Read on for our Jazz vs. Grizzlies NBA picks and predictions ahead of this Monday, October 31 matchup.

Grizzlies vs Jazz best odds

Grizzlies vs Jazz picks and predictions

When Utah hit the reset button in the offseason by trading Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, all the talk focused on their massive haul of draft picks. But those deals also brought the Jazz some proven NBA talent — and Lauri Markkanen is Exhibit A.

Markkanen, who got his career back on track last year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, has embraced a bigger role in Utah, averaging 21 points and nine rebounds. He led the Jazz with a 23-point night on Saturday and is shooting with confidence.

It’s a similar story for Collin Sexton, Kelly Olynyk, and Jarred Vanderbilt, with new head coach Will Hardy getting the most out of a new-look roster. But Markkanen, still just 25, stands out as a scoring threat, particularly in this matchup.

Without Jaren Jackson Jr., the Grizzlies lack the type of athletic big man who can live with the Finn when he steps out beyond the arc or comes off screens. While the Memphis guards (particularly Ja Morant) may hunt mismatches against Markkanen at the other end, he is poised for another prolific night.

With Gobert no longer on the roster, there are a lot of rebounds up for grabs now, too. Utah will often use lineups without a traditional center, requiring Markkanen and others to do the dirty work on the glass.

I like Markkanen to fill up the stat sheet here, solidifying himself as the Jazz’s number one scoring option.

My best bet: Lauri Markkanen Over 28.5 points + rebounds  (-110)

Grizzlies vs Jazz spread analysis

The Jazz, whose bright start is no fluke, may feel slighted by this spread, but it simply reflects the visitors’ higher ceiling with Morant potentially returning after sitting out on Saturday.

Utah should have Mike Conley (rest) back in the lineup tonight, with his steady hand balancing out the heat-check shot-taking of Sexton and Jordan Clarkson. However, Morant’s return would change everything for Memphis. In his absence, these teams looked evenly matched, but Morant’s relentlessness in attacking the rim and speed in transition unlocks top gear for the Grizzlies.

At the other end, some defensive slippage was expected for Memphis without Jackson — but not this much. The Grizzlies were 12th in points allowed per game last season. Through six games, they’re giving up 121 points a night, the fourth-worst mark in the NBA. Taylor Jenkins will surely expect more from Santi Aldama and Brandon Clarke after watching Markkanen and Olynyk dominate the frontcourt at the weekend — and it’s reasonable to anticipate a better collective defensive effort tonight.

Winning both legs of this two-game mini-series is a tough ask, so look for a resilient Grizzlies team to respond tonight and cover this small spread on the road.

Grizzlies vs Jazz Over/Under analysis

We should get another high-scoring shootout tonight on par with Saturday’s offensive fireworks where both teams shot over 50% from the field. Neither is fazed by playing at a fast pace, and the Grizzlies lead the NBA in points per game. 

Expect to see a barrage of 3-pointers, too. Utah (third) and Memphis (ninth) are both in the Top 10 in 3-point attempts per game. Only Steph Curry is making more 3-pointers per game than Desmond Bane, and no one could ever accuse Clarkson, Sexton, or Dillon Brooks of being shy about jacking up shots.

There’s a fearlessness to the Jazz after their roster shake-up — and, with nothing to lose, that’s translated to an unexpectedly potent offense. Even with a lofty line for the Total, there’s good value in the Over (which has hit in 16 of the teams’ past 21 meetings in Utah).

Grizzlies vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Over is 5-1 across the Grizzlies’ six games so far this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Jazz.

Grizzlies vs Jazz game info

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