SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 22: Shelvin Mack #6 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass around the defense of Derrick Favors #15 and Dante Exum #11 of the Utah Jazz in the first half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 22, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies Recap: Tough Grizz pull off upset
The Utah Jazz could never get into a rhythm on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, falling to 1-2 as we continue the early portion of the season.
Man, Monday night’s contest against the Memphis Grizzlies was sure an ugly game for the Utah Jazz. Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Golden State Warriors, fans were hoping the team would bounce back in a big way against a new-look Grizzlies squad, but that was not the case.
Instead, the Jazz were simply beaten from beginning to end in this one. Memphis was in control for most of the game, and the Jazz just couldn’t get anything to go on offense. As a team, the Jazz shot 8-of-32 from 3-point land.
Last Friday against the Warriors, the Jazz set a franchise record for 3-pointers made in a game, burning the nets for 19 threes. They couldn’t carry that shooting over, and simply put, they had an off night.
Some positives from this game were the play of rookie Grayson Allen and the play of Jae Crowder. Allen made his NBA debut and gave the team a spark in the fourth quarter, going for seven points in 10 minutes.
I thought Crowder did a lot of things well on both ends of the floor. He continues to fit well as a stretch-four next to Rudy Gobert. He finished with 15 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
Aside from those two, nobody played very well. The Jazz really need Donovan Mitchell to get going and play smarter. He continued to force shots on Monday night, and didn’t have a field goal in the fourth quarter. His start of the season has been extremely underwhelming.
The ball movement stalled at times, Memphis controlled the pace, and while the Jazz did have good moments defensively, it still wasn’t the Jazz defense we are used to seeing.
Joe Ingles cooled off after his explosion against Golden State, Derrick Favors was all over the place, and Ricky Rubio just couldn’t get anything to go in.
Memphis did a great job putting together a roster during the off-season that is going to compete with any team. They’ll continue to embrace the “Grit N Grind” culture, and you saw it on full display in Monday’s contest. Memphis is a good team, and I think they will upset many teams this season.
It wasn’t pretty, and the Jazz are going to need everyone to step up as they head to Houston to battle the Rockets on Wednesday.
Remember, Jazz fans, we are still so early into the season. My advice to you is you can’t let the highs get too high and you can’t let the lows get too low.
