What’s up with the Grizzlies?
It’s always a joy to watch a team developing into a playoff contender. There’s a gray area where a team is sandwiched between being elite and subpar. That’s where the Memphis Grizzlies are right now and they’re headed toward becoming a dangerous force in the Western Conference.
The Grizzlies are currently third in the West with a 33-17 record and have won seven of their last 10 games. The eye of this Memphis storm is first-time All-Star and starter Ja Morant. The former Rookie of the Year is the game’s must-see attraction right now. He brings a tantalizing amount of flair, fire, basketball know-how, and that “it” factor of a superstar. In his last game, he dropped 41 points, tying his season-high against the San Antonio Spurs. If there’s a Memphis game on, there’s always a chance to see something amazing from Morant.
A good test for any up-and-coming squad is facing an already established regular season Goliath like the Jazz. Appetizing scenarios like how many points Morant will score or which highlight he’ll come up with against a defensive-oriented team make the matchup all the more enticing. Can the Grizzlies continue to become a real threat come playoff time?
What’s up with the Jazz?
The big concern for Utah right now is its stars. Donovan Mitchell has missed five games due to concussion protocol and is listed as questionable for the game against the Grizzlies. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert, meanwhile, won’t play because of a calf injury. Aside from the duo, Utah has had to deal with a handful of injuries the past few games with its key players like Mike Conley, Joe Ingles, Royce O’Neale, and Bojan Bogdanovic.
The Jazz, a powerhouse in the West the last couple of seasons, are currently stuck in the mud. They’re still fourth in the West at 30-19 but have lost nine of their last 11 outings. With the dominance of the Phoenix Suns, the resurgence of the Golden State Warriors, plus the rise of the aforementioned Grizzlies, the Jazz need to regain their footing.
When the Jazz and the Grizzlies met in November, it was a late Jaren Jackson Jr. triple that paved the 119-118 win for Memphis. It was a close contest that went down the wire in Salt Lake City. The rematch is primed to be a good one.
Where to watch
You can catch the Jazz take on the Grizzlies at 9:00 AM live on League Pass. There’s also a delayed telecast on NBA TV Philippines (via Smart GigaPlay app and Cignal TV) at 12:00 PM.
