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Memphis Grizzlies earn first home win of season with blowout victory over Utah Jazz

jonah dylan, memphis commercial appeal
·5 min read

It finally happened.

The Memphis Grizzlies did it on their ninth attempt this season — they won a home game. After starting the season 0-8 at FedExForum, they dominated the Utah Jazz on Wednesday 105-91, using a 36-17 second quarter to take control of the game and ultimately cruise to a win.

Forward David Roddy earned the start and it paid off, scoring 17 first-half points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. And unlike many of their losses this season, the Grizzlies got contributions from a slew of different players. Six scored in double figures, including Santi Aldama (11) and Ziaire Williams (15) off the bench.

The Jazz (6-12) were without star forward Lauri Markkanen and struggled to find scoring throughout the game. They shot just 33% from the field in the first half and didn’t improve much in the final 24 minutes as the Grizzlies controlled the game with their defensive effort.

It was an overdue and much-needed win for the Grizzlies (4-13), who have had all kinds of problems this season. Now Memphis will try to use the momentum as it embarks on a three-game road trip to Dallas, Phoenix and Detroit.

Memphis Grizzlies live score updates vs. Utah Jazz

Fourth quarter

3:50 left: The Grizzlies call timeout up by 20 points. Six Memphis players have scored in double figures, while only three have done that for the Jazz.

7:13 left: Memphis is up by 22 and has held the lead throughout the second half. It's almost there.

Third quarter

End of quarter: Grizzlies 88, Jazz 67. Memphis is 12 minutes away from its first home win of the season.

3:16 left: The Grizzlies still have an 18-point lead, and Jackson has come alive with 14 points. Memphis is still winning with defense, but the Jazz are starting to get more open looks.

10:36 left: There was a four-minute delay when the lights suddenly went out on the FedExForum court, but other than that it's been more of the same for Memphis. The Grizzlies are up 65-42 as Jenkins is challenging a foul called on Jackson.

Second quarter

Halftime: Grizzlies 60, Jazz 42. It's been an incredible turnaround in the second quarter. The Grizzlies took complete control of the game thanks to some timely three-point shooting and suffocating defense. Utah struggled to score throughout the quarter and Memphis is on track to get its first home win of the season. Roddy has been the standout for Memphis with 17 first-half points on 5-of-8 three point shooting.

2:09 left: Memphis has built a lead through defense and hustle plays. FedExForum has some life as the Grizzlies put together a run to open up a double-digit lead on the Jazz, who are shooting 30 percent and really struggling to score near the basket.

7:17 left: The Jazz are really struggling offensively. Utah can't buy a bucket and is now shooting just 32 percent from the field. Talen Horton-Tucker just missed a dunk, and Rose tracked down the rebound to finish on the other end. Grizzlies lead 36-28 as Hardy takes another timeout.

First quarter

End of quarter: Jazz 25, Grizzlies 24. Memphis hung in there after falling behind early, but the Grizzlies will need much more offense if they're going to win this game. Roddy has eight points to lead all scorers.

2:24 left: It's not just the starting lineup that Jenkins switched up. Jaylen Nowell, signed on a 10-day contract last week, was the first guy off the bench for Memphis. The bench provided a spark and helped erase the early Utah lead, and it's now 22-19 Grizzlies after Bane hits a three to cause a Will Hardy timeout.

7:42 left: The Grizzlies are behind once again at a sleepy FedExForum. The Jazz are 3-of-5 from three-point range already and have jumped out to a 15-7 lead. Taylor Jenkins changed up his starting lineup and went with Derrick Rose, Desmond Bane, David Roddy, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bismack Biyombo. But that change hasn't worked yet.

Grizzlies searching for first home win

The Memphis Grizzlies are still winless at home this season, an 0-8 start as part of an overall 3-13 record that has last season's No. 2 seed in the Western Conference near the bottom of the standings. The Grizzlies have another chance to earn their maiden home win on Wednesday when they host the Utah Jazz (6-11) to end a three-game homestand.

The Jazz have already beaten the Grizzlies twice this season, both at home and away. They beat the Pelicans at home on Monday night but will be without star forward Lauri Markkanen, who is still out with a left hamstring strain. Utah is 1-7 on the road this season, but that one win came against the Grizzlies at FedExForum.

Memphis has its own injury crisis to deal with while it goes through the current four-game losing streak. Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luke Kennard are still on the injury list alongside Ja Morant, who has nine games left in his 25-game suspension.

After Wednesday's game, the Grizzlies will head on the road for a back-to-back against the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns on Friday and Saturday.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves on today?

  • TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

  • Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Jazz start time

  • Date: Nov. 29

  • Time: 7 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Jazz betting odds

  • SPREAD: Grizzlies -4.5

  • MONEY LINE: Grizzlies -180, Jazz +150

  • OVER/UNDER: 223.5

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies dominate Utah Jazz for first home win of season