The Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz open their seasons Wednesday. Tip-off from the Delta Center is set for 9 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Grizzlies vs. Jazz odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Jazz won 2-1 last season
Memphis’ injury reports looked like short novels for most of last season. G Ja Morant and G Desmond Bane, its 2 leading scorers, combined to play just 49 games as it went on to finish with a 27-55 record. Memphis’ backcourt is healthy this time around, including G Marcus Smart, and it’s projected to win 47.5 games this season at BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Jazz (31-51 in 2023-24) were a disappointment last season after going a promising 37-45 in 2022-23 — a year that was expected to be a rebuild. Utah selected G Cody Williams out of Colorado with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and its regular-season wins total is set at 28.5 games.
Grizzlies at Jazz odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 1:07 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Grizzlies -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Jazz +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Grizzlies -2.5 (-110) | Jazz +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 228.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Grizzlies at Jazz key injuries
Grizzlies
- F Jaren Jackson Jr. (hamstring) out
- F GG Jackson (foot) out
- G Luke Kennard (foot) out
- F Vince Williams Jr. (shin) out
Jazz
- G Johnny Juzang (thumb) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Grizzlies at Jazz picks and predictions
Prediction
Grizzlies 116, Jazz 115
Moneyline
The Grizzlies (-145) are obviously the better team, but I can’t justify backing Memphis at this price without Jaren (22.5 PPG last season) and GG (14.6 PPG).
PASS. Bet the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
While the Jazz are a below-average team, their home-court advantage is among the best in the NBA. They were above .500 in Salt Lake City last season, going 21-20 straight up, and had the 5th-best ATS home record at 24-17 (58.5%).
No one is denying that the Grizzlies will be much better than the Jazz this season, but Utah at home getting points vs. an injured Grizzlies front court is too good to pass up.
BET JAZZ +2.5 (-110).
Over/Under
Utah was the 2nd-best Over bet in the NBA last season, going 45-36-1 O/U (55.6%).
Jaren led the Grizzlies with 1.6 blocks per game in 2023-24, but he won’t be available to try to slow down the 6th-best home offense in the NBA last season (119.5 PPG).
BET OVER 228.5 (-115).
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