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Can the Memphis Grizzlies keep the 8th seed in the Western Conference?

By Lachlan Everett

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a Sacramento Kings free throw in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies stands on the court during a Sacramento Kings free throw in the second half at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies Photo by Brandon Dill/Getty Images
Memphis Grizzlies Photo by Brandon Dill/Getty Images /

Utah Jazz: August 5th (2:30 PM ET)

Losing Bojan Bogdanovic following wrist surgery is a big blow to Utah, as he averaged 20 points per game and was revolutionary for Utah’s offense this season. Last season with Derrick Favours at power forward Utah was 15th in offensive rating last season,  now in this regular-season with Bogdanovic Utah was 8th per Real GM. The swap changed the spacing and the scoring dramatically and that will be an issue for the Jazz.

Losing Bogdanovic will leave a hole in the offense that Jordan Clarkson, Joe Ingles or Mike Conley will have to fill, and I am not confident they can do that.

Related Story. How Morant's rookie season stacks up with recent greats. light

When the Grizzlies faced Utah this season, they were 1-2 and the only game they won came down to the last few seconds, with Utah also having 9 active players. In the first game, Donavan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert combined for 52 points while Gobert also had 17 rebounds and five blocks. The Grizzlies had an impressive duo in Dillon Brooks scoring 20 and Ja Morant with 25 points and eight assists while Jackson Jr. only had nine points and seven boards.

The next two games saw much the same on Utah’s side only with a surprise shooting performance by Royce O’Neale shooting 5-of-5 from the arc. For Memphis Ja Morant and De’Anthony Melton, both missed games in this season series so if a healthy Memphis walks in they’ll need to do these things…

  • Get Jackson Jr. involved in the offense early to have Gobert focus on him rather then Morant or Brooks driving. (7 blocks and only 6 fouls within the 3 games)
  •  Have Melton guard Mitchell and hope Morant can keep Conley busy
  •  Exploit Utah’s starting line-up as without Bogdanovic they’ll lack shooting and height by likely starting O’Neale
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