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Memphis Grizzlies blown out by Utah Jazz, suffer fifth straight loss to start season

damichael cole, memphis commercial appeal
·4 min read

Everything that could go wrong, did.

The Memphis Grizzlies offense struggled to find any flow. The defense was scrambling around the court at the Delta Center. But the Utah Jazz were playing their best basketball of the season, making more 3-pointers in the first half than the Grizzlies made total field goals.

The result was a 33-point halftime deficit and a 133-109 Grizzlies loss Wednesday night, the start of a three-game road trip. Memphis (0-5) is off to its worst start since 2002.

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 21 points. None of the Memphis starters played in the fourth quarter.

Utah (2-3) had three players make four or more 3-pointers. Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points and added 11 rebounds. Collin Sexton led the Jazz with 23 points. Markkanen and Clarkson combined to shoot 8-for-12 on 3-pointers.

The Grizzlies now head to Portland for two games against the Trail Blazers. The first game is Friday at 9 p.m. (Bally Sports Southeast).

Fourth quarter

3:50 left: Memphis trails 118-95. Several Grizzlies players at the end of the bench got extended run in the fourth quarter. With the bench struggling, these can be valuable minutes for players like Kenneth Lofton Jr., Vince Williams Jr. and Jacob Gilyard. Lofton could add depth to a shot-handed center rotation, Williams has solid perimeter defense that Memphis could use and Gilyard could be in line to get more playing time with Derrick Rose injured.

ANOTHER INJURY: Memphis Grizzlies guard Derrick Rose expected to miss multiple games with knee injury

Third quarter

Three quarters down, and the Memphis Grizzlies have emptied their bench. Memphis trails 104-79 after three quarters. Offense and defense have both been subpar, and the Jazz have taken advantage.

Second quarter

Halftime: Jazz 79, Grizzlies 46

There's not much going right for the Grizzlies, and the Jazz are rolling. Memphis was outscored by double figures in each of the first two quarters. Desmond Bane leads the Grizzlies with 16 points, but defensive issues have put Memphis in a hole. Utah is shooting 14 of 21 on 3-pointers and 69% overall.

First quarter

Grizzlies struggle defending the 3-pointer

Things aren't going well for the Grizzlies. Memphis is already down more points than they have scored after one quarter. The Grizzlies are trailing 42-19 after one quarter. Utah has made eight 3-pointers, led by Lauri Markkanen's three made 3-pointers.

This is similar to how the Dallas Mavericks shot from deep two nights ago. The Mavs made 23 of 47 3-pointers en route to a 125-110 win against the Grizzlies. Memphis must limit 3-pointers to avoid a five-game losing streak.

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of two winless teams remaining in the NBA. They'll be looking to end a four-game losing streak Wednesday night on the road against the Utah Jazz.

Grizzlies players remain confident despite their slow start to the season. Injuries and changes to the offense and defense are why players like Marcus Smart are preaching patience.

Luke Kennard is expected to return on Wednesday after missing the last three games. He left the season-opener against the New Orleans Pelicans and was placed in concussion protocol.

Kennard's shooting should help a bench that is searching for a boost. The Grizzlies' second unit was outscored 39-13 on Monday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Utah (1-3) is led by Lauri Markkanen, who is averaging 25 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. He averaged 25 points on 51.9% shooting.

Memphis went 2-2 against the Jazz last season.

Follow along for live score updates:

Memphis Grizzlies score updates, highlights vs. Utah Jazz

DEPTH CONCERNS: Why depth issues are hurting the Memphis Grizzlies early in the season

Memphis Grizzlies injury report

Memphis will get a boost with Luke Kennard returning to the rotation after missing the past three games. Derrick Rose will miss his first game of the season due to left knee soreness. Santi Aldama remains out with a right ankle sprain.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Jazz today?

  • TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

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

Grizzlies vs. Jazz start time

  • Date: Wednesday, Nov. 1

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Jazz betting odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Nov. 1

  • Spread: Jazz -2.5

  • Money line: Jazz -110, Grizzlies -110

  • Over/under total: 225.5 points

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies blown out by Utah Jazz, remain winless