The Memphis Grizzlies take their perfect start on the road Monday, facing a Utah Jazz team looking to avoid a third straight loss. Tipoff at Delta Center in Salt Lake City is set for 9 p.m. ET.
Memphis enters at 2-0, while Utah sits at 1-2 after dropping consecutive games to New Orleans and the Los Angeles Lakers. This Grizzlies vs Jazz preview breaks down the matchup, the injury situations on both sides and what it means for the early Southwest and Northwest standings races.
The two teams met just four days earlier, with Memphis winning 123-103 on Oct. 22. The Grizzlies lead the season series 1-0 heading into the rematch, and they do so as the only unbeaten team outside of Houston in the Southwest Division.
Grizzlies Vs Jazz Game Information
- Date: Monday, Oct. 26
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
- TV/Streaming: NBA League Pass, DAZN MEM, KJZZ-TV, Jazz+
- Series: Memphis leads 1-0
By The Numbers
- Points per game: Memphis 117.0, Utah 111.5
- Field goal percentage: Memphis 46.9%, Utah 47.8%
- Three-point percentage: Memphis 38.4%, Utah 35.8%
- Free throw percentage: Memphis 76.0%, Utah 71.2%
- Offensive rebounds per game: Memphis 16.5, Utah 9.5
- Defensive rebounds per game: Memphis 34.5, Utah 30.5
- Assists per game: Memphis 25.0, Utah 28.0
- Turnovers per game: Memphis 19.0, Utah 18.0
- Steals per game: Memphis 7.5, Utah 6.5
- Blocks per game: Memphis 7.0, Utah 8.5
Grizzlies Outlook
Memphis has won five of its last five games dating back to Oct. 10, including road victories over Golden State and the earlier blowout of Utah. The Grizzlies are averaging 117.0 points per game and own a sizable rebounding edge, out-rebounding opponents on the offensive glass by an average of 16.5 to 9.5. That extra-possession advantage has fueled a team that shoots 38.4% from three.
Guard Ty Jerome has carried the offense early, leading the team in both scoring (36.5 points per game) and assists (5.5). Forward Cameron Boozer leads Memphis on the boards at 12.0 rebounds per game. The Grizzlies will be without center Zach Edey (left ankle) and forward Karim Lopez (right knee bruise) on Monday, both listed as out with a return date of Oct. 26 pending further evaluation. With Edey sidelined, Memphis is expected to lean on its frontcourt depth to maintain its rebounding edge against a Utah team that has struggled on the glass.
Jazz Outlook
Utah has alternated wins and losses through its first three games, most recently falling 132-123 to the Lakers on Oct. 25, a day after escaping with a 120-119 win over New Orleans. The Jazz are averaging 111.5 points per game on 47.8% shooting, but their turnover total of 18.0 per game and the 123-103 loss to Memphis on Oct. 22 point to a team still finding consistency.
Guard Keyonte George leads Utah in both scoring (20.5 points per game) and assists (7.5), while forward Lauri Markkanen paces the rebounding at 7.5 per game. Center Jaren Jackson Jr. has been Utah’s most efficient two-way presence, posting 19.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. The Jazz will be shorthanded again, with center Jusuf Nurkic (right foot strain) out until a projected return of Nov. 4 and guard Trey Alexander (left knee bruise) listed as out for Monday’s game.
Key Matchup
The battle on the glass could decide this one. Memphis is pulling down 16.5 offensive rebounds per game compared to Utah’s 9.5, and the Grizzlies also hold a 34.5-to-30.5 edge on the defensive boards. With Nurkic out for Utah, the Jazz frontcourt rotation faces a tougher task controlling a Memphis team that out-rebounded them in the first meeting. Utah will need Markkanen and Jackson Jr. to clean up on both ends if they hope to limit Memphis to one shot per possession, a factor that was a problem in the Oct. 22 loss.
What To Watch
Memphis sits a half-game behind Houston atop the Southwest Division at 2-0, and a win would keep the Grizzlies unbeaten through three games. Utah, meanwhile, is already 1.5 games back in the Northwest Division and looking to avoid its third consecutive loss. With Jerome’s hot start and Memphis riding a five-game winning streak, the Grizzlies will look to build on a series lead they grabbed just days ago.
For more on Memphis this season, see the Grizzlies’ 123-103 win over the Jazz and the latest on Zach Edey’s health. Memphis’ recent schedule included previews against the Kings and the Warriors.
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