The Memphis Grizzlies wrap up a brutal four-game stretch on the road with a stop at EnergySolutions Arena this Saturday night to square off against the struggling Utah Jazz. The game is slated to get underway at 10 p.m. (ET), and it will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV.

Memphis started this four-games-in-five-nights run with victories over Portland and the LA Clippers both straight up and against the spread, but its toughest test will be on Friday night against Denver before facing the Jazz. The Grizzlies have now won their last six games SU while going 5-1 ATS.

Utah is in the process of fumbling away its postseason plans with just two SU victories in its last 10 games, but both wins did come at home, where it is 23-8 SU and 19-12 ATS. The total has stayed “under” in five of its last eight games.

Grizzlies at Jazz Betting Storylines

The Grizzlies 96-85 victory on Wednesday night over the Clippers as six-point underdogs moved them into third place in the Western Conference standings with an overall record of 44-19 SU (38-24-1) and still within striking distance of San Antonio for the top spot at 4.5 games back. The win was also their 14th in their last 15 games, making them one of the hottest teams in the league right now.

The reason for the Grizzlies success over the past six weeks has been their ability to play to the strengths of every team they have faced. If they had to ramp up the offense then Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley more than made up for the loss of Rudy Gay, who was traded away earlier in the year. Most nights the Grizzlies simply relied on playing the shut-down defense that has them ranked first in the league in points allowed (89.4).

For most of the season the Jazz won consistently enough to maintain a position in the Top 8 spots in the Western Conference standings, but this current skid has them on the outside looking in. Utah may have an opening to get back in playoff position with the Lakers Kobe Bryant nursing a bad ankle, but it is still going to have find a way to win a fair share of its games down the stretch. This contest could offer the perfect opportunity to start with the road-weary Grizzlies in town.

To get the win on Saturday night, both Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap have to pick up the pace that has been lacking in recent games. Combined, these two are averaging 32.5 points, 16.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists this season; however both have been guilty of taking a few nights off here and there. The main thing the Jazz have going for them in this matchup is home-court advantage as they are a completely different team at EnergySolutions Arena than the one that is a dismal 10-24 SU (12-21-1 ATS) on the road this year.

Grizzlies at Jazz Betting Odds and Trends

Utah has been opened by BetOnline as a slight one-point home favorite for this matchup with the “over/under” set at 187.

The Grizzlies are a perfect 8-0 ATS in their last eight road games and 38-14-1 ATS in their last 53 games on zero day’s rest. The total has gone over in four of their last five games on the road.

The Jazz are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games on two day’s rest and 11-5 ATS in their last 16 home games against a team with a winning road record. The total has stayed under in seven of their last 10 home games.

Head-to-head in this matchup, Memphis is just 6-13 ATS in the last 19 meetings overall but a perfect 2-0 both SU and ATS this season. The total has stayed under in seven of the last 10 games.

Grizzlies at Jazz Picks and Betting Predictions

You would normally never go against a hot team like Memphis, but you have to believe that it is going to be drained from Friday night’s showdown against Denver win or lose. The Jazz catch a huge break in this matchup and take full advantage of their home court with a win on Saturday night.

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