It’s a potential Western Conference playoff preview on Friday night in the NBA when the Utah Jazz – who might be rather short-handed – visit Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.

“Any time Ja drives, it’s like he has eyes in the back of his head. He already knows where everybody is on the court. He attracts a lot of attention and was able to hit me in my spot with a great pass,” said Jackson, who had 26 points. Morant had 32 points and Desmond Bane added 28. Donovan Mitchell, who had 18 points on 5-of-20 shooting, missed an off-balance jumper at the buzzer for the Jazz.

Whether Mitchell, the Jazz’s leading scorer, or fellow All-Star and three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert plays in this one is why the odds are going to be TBA until Friday morning. Mitchell has missed the Jazz’s past five games with a concussion, while the center suffered a strained calf late in last Sunday’s loss to the Warriors and hasn’t suited up since.

Check out NitroBetting’s preview of the upcoming Jazz vs. Grizzlies game. Find essential information, statistics, and the latest NBA betting odds down below. More than that, we share timely betting trends and predictions geared to make your betting experience worthwhile.

Jazz vs. Grizzlies Game Information

SLC ? MEM ➡️ MIN ➡️ ? SLC pic.twitter.com/45FXYeVF0S

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 27, 2022

• When: Friday, January 28, 2022, 8:00 PM ET
• Where: FedExForum, Memphis, TN
• TV: NBA TV
• Radio: The Sports Zone KZNS-AM 1280 (Jazz) / 92.9 FM ESPN (Grizzlies)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Jazz (TBA) / Grizzlies (TBA)

READ MORE: Clippers vs. Heat NBA Odds and Preview – January 28th, 2022

Why Bet on the Utah Jazz?

Mitchell (25.5 ppg) is expected to travel but probably won’t play Friday. Maybe Sunday. Mitchell is averaging 13.0 points per contest as the ball-handler in pick-and-roll play types, which is second best in the NBA and he’s one of two players in the top five in that category with an effective field goal percentage over 50 percent (53.8).

Gobert’s injury is a relatively mild one, but calf strains are notoriously fickle in terms of projected recovery time. And so, the Jazz will designate him as day-to-day in the interim. Don’t expert Gobert to play Friday. Gobert is currently averaging 16.0 points on 71.4 percent from the field, while grabbing 15.0 rebounds. He’s on pace to become the only player in NBA history to average 15 point and 15 boards while also shooting better than 70 percent from the field.

Utah simply isn’t very good without those two as the Jazz have lost three in a row and come off a 105-97 home loss to Phoenix.

Hassan Whiteside got the start vs. the Suns on Wednesday and had 16 points and 11 rebounds. In the past five games, Whiteside is averaging 12.4 points, 9.8 boards and 1.6 blocks per contest. As you can see, he has put up decent numbers with Gobert out but isn’t near the same defensive presence. Point guard Mike Conley had 16 points and 10 assists in the loss. Conley was rested for the team’s previous game Monday but had his second double-double of the season Wednesday.

Of course, Conley is a former franchise icon in Memphis. He played there from 2007-2019 and finished as the franchise all-time leader in games played (788), assists (4509), steals (1,161) and points (11,733) so he will be warmly welcomed Friday.

Why Bet on the Memphis Grizzlies?

Memphis has alternated wins and losses over its past seven following a 118-110 win in San Antonio on Wednesday. Morant, an MVP candidate, had 41 points (tying a season high), eight assists, five rebounds, two steals and just one turnover in 37 minutes. In the past four games, he’s averaging 36.8 points, 8.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds.

Jackson finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and six blocked shots in the Grizzlies’ fourth straight victory over the Spurs. Jackson Jr. has 39 blocks in his last 10 games, a franchise record in a 10-game span. Desmond Bane added 20 points in his return from a three-game absence while in the league’s health and safety protocols.

This is the first meeting between these teams in Memphis this season and the Jazz have won their past two there. We will pick as if Mitchell and Gobert are out.

Jazz vs. Grizzlies Betting Trends

• Jazz are 2-8-1 ATS in the last 11 games.
• Jazz are 1-5 SU in the last 6 games.
• The total went under in 5 of Utah’s last 6 games.
• Grizzlies are 11-3 ATS in the last 14 games.
• Grizzlies are 14-3 SU in the last 17 games.
• The total went over in 6 of Memphis’ last 6 games against Utah.

Jazz vs. Grizzlies Expert Betting Prediction

NBA Pick: Grizzlies 115, Jazz 108

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at NitroBetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.