Utah Jazz Look to Become First Top Seed to Advance Tonight

Wed, Jun 2, 2021
By Jim Vassallo (Veri.bet Writer)

The Utah Jazz host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, June 2, at 9:30 PM ET at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake, City, Utah. 

The Jazz leads the series 3-1 over the Grizzlies and looks to become the first top seed in the playoffs to advance to the second round with a win tonight.

Aside from a minor hiccup in game one, a 112-109 loss to Memphis, Utah has been downright dominant in the last three games.

The Jazz won game two 141-129, game three 121-111, and game four 120-113.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 30 points in the game four win. 

Utah is a much different team compared to last year’s playoffs, which were held in the NBA bubble during the height of the pandemic. The Jazz had the most wins in the league during the regular season this year.

"We obviously remember that feeling that we had last season, and it's not something we want to experience again," Jazz guard Mike Conley said.

"We'll hopefully be able to get our minds focused on business and not let this one slip away like we did last year."

Mitchell has noticed a big between last year’s team and this and he says it’s that no one is satisfied being up 3-1 in the series.

 "We have to go there and take care of homecourt back in Utah, and I think that's where our head is at," Mitchell said.

Jordan Clarkson dropped 24 points. He was named this year’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year.

Conley hit a big three to end a scoreless drought for the Jazz and getting the team back on track in the third quarter.

"He's kind of sneaky quiet," Utah coach Quin Snyder said of Conley. "He whispers, but you can hear him. I think he impacts the game so many ways."

Utah shot just 3-for-16 from the floor in the fourth quarter but connected on 11 of 12 free throws. 

"They've been playing with each other for a long time," Jaren Jackson Jr. said of the Jazz. "They have a little bit more playoff experience than us. So, they've got a good feel right now."

Memphis is the youngest team in the playoffs this year and has put up a fight in all four games so far. The Grizzlies led by as many as four points in game four.

"There's nothing to be frustrated about when you're giving great fight against the best team in the NBA," Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said. "They just have a response for everything. We're giving everything we've got."

With the loss, the Grizzlies are now 4-11 in franchise history in game fours. 

Utah enters tipoff tonight as -9.5 point favorites over the eight-seed Grizzlies. It’s smart money to take the Jazz advancing to the second round in front of their home fans. If you don’t want to bet the spread, you can place money on the -550 money line for Utah.