NBA Picks: Utah @ Memphis

Added on Jan 08, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

After a short schedule on Thursday with only one game on the board the NBA is back with a vengeance on Friday with a full slate of games presenting a number of solid basketball betting opportunities. We’ll take a look at the Memphis Grizzlies as they host the Utah Jazz at the FedEx Forum:

Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies
January 8, 5:05 Pacific

Game is currently off the board at most books due to the questionable status of Jazz pointguard Deron Williams who is nursing a wrist injury. He missed Wednesday’s game against Memphis and also sat out practice on Thursday. Our sources suggest that he’ll sit out on Friday, though he is traveling with the team. If he can’t go, look for Memphis to be posted a -4 home favorite, if he can the game will be near pick’em or Utah favored by a point or two. Backup pointguard Ronnie Price also missed practice on Thursday, and although recent D-League call up Sundiata Gaines played well on Wednesday he can’t carry the load himself. Either way, we like Memphis in this spot.

The Jazz beat the Grizz 117-94 in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, but everyone knows the deal with Utah–they’re a much better team at home than on the road. These quick rematch spots are always a good opportunity to bet on the team that lost the first game, and Memphis is very quietly becoming a solid NBA team. Memphis has won 7 of 10 SU and have a decent 10-5 home record both straight up and against the spread. The Jazz, meanwhile, have lost 6 of their last 10 SU and are 6-10 SU/7-9 ATS away from the Energy Solutions Arena this season.

Utah has a tough stretch after this game where they play at Dallas and then home against Miami and Cleveland in the span of five days. After having an easy time with Memphis on Wednesday they could overlook Memphis here. Utah has dominated this series of late, winning 11 straight games and this could be the best opportunity of the year for the Grizzlies to end that losing run.

I would bet Memphis -4 over Utah