PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Sunday Totals Crusher
(NBA) Memphis vs. Utah,
Total: 215.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 215.50 | -110.00 Over
Result: Win
It was weird scheduling, but it could be telling. The Grizzlies and Jazz met three times during a span of six days from March 26-31. Utah won all three. The combined final scores totaled 231, 236 and 218 points, all of which are higher than what this total opened.
Sure I get that this is playoff basketball now. But I remain unconvinced that defense will be more dominant than offense.
Utah is the fourth-highest scoring team in the NBA at 116.4. The Jazz have reached at least 121 points in four of their last seven games.
The Grizzlies are an average at best defensive team. Not only do they have to deal with Rudy Gobert inside and the outside scoring of Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles, but All-Star guard Donovan MItchell and Mike Conley are back healthy now, too. Mitchell hasn't played in more than a month because of an ankle injury, but he's ready now. He's averaging 26.4 points.
The Jazz have something to prove after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in their playoff series last season. They won't be adverse to running up a score to send out a clear message. The Grizzlies have scorers, too, along with a tremendous playmaker in Ja Morant. Memphis has the wing players to give the Jazz trouble on the defensive end.
Note, too, that each of the past five meetings between the two teams has gone Over.
Sure I get that this is playoff basketball now. But I remain unconvinced that defense will be more dominant than offense.
Utah is the fourth-highest scoring team in the NBA at 116.4. The Jazz have reached at least 121 points in four of their last seven games.
The Grizzlies are an average at best defensive team. Not only do they have to deal with Rudy Gobert inside and the outside scoring of Bojan Bogdanovic, Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles, but All-Star guard Donovan MItchell and Mike Conley are back healthy now, too. Mitchell hasn't played in more than a month because of an ankle injury, but he's ready now. He's averaging 26.4 points.
The Jazz have something to prove after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets in their playoff series last season. They won't be adverse to running up a score to send out a clear message. The Grizzlies have scorers, too, along with a tremendous playmaker in Ja Morant. Memphis has the wing players to give the Jazz trouble on the defensive end.
Note, too, that each of the past five meetings between the two teams has gone Over.