Former Purdue star and Torontonian Zach Edey is the clear NBA Rookie of the Year favourite ahead of the 7-footer’s regular-season debut on Wednesday for the Grizzlies as they visit the Jazz.
The Jazz are 3-point home dogs on the NBA odds.
Grizzlies vs. Jazz NBA Betting Odds
There were a record 28 Canadians are on 2023-24 NBA opening day rosters. We don’t have that official number for this season yet, but at least a few more will make their league debuts in openers around the league early this week led by Memphis Grizzlies centre Zach Edey on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old was born in Toronto and went on to have one of the great college basketball careers of any modern-day Division I player at Purdue. Edey joined Hall of Famers Ralph Sampson and the late Bill Walton as the back-to-back winners of the National Player of the Year Award. The 7-foot-4 Edey could have turned pro after his junior season with the Boilers but was not projected as a first-round pick in the 2023 draft so he returned to school and averaged 25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in leading Purdue to the national title game, where the Boilers lost to a historically good UConn team.
Edey was projected as a first-round pick in this year’s draft but not generally in the Top 10, so it surprised some that Memphis took him at No. 9. He was not close to the Rookie of the Year favourite right after the draft but had some really promising showings in limited action during Summer League and then averaged 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in about 20 minutes per game in the preseason. Edey has taken by far the most action for ROY and is +300 favourite ahead of No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard (+750) of Houston and No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher (+900) of Atlanta.
Memphis has had two Rookie of the Year winners, last Ja Morant in the 2019-20. The only Canadian winner was Andrew Wiggins in 2014-15 with Minnesota.
Utah has won 14 of the past 20 in the series vs. Memphis and is 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings.
Memphis Grizzlies
I believe the Grizzlies will be the most improved team in the NBA this season after slipping from 51 wins in the 2022-23 season to just 27 last season when just about everything that could go wrong did. No team was hit harder by injuries and suspensions than Memphis. Superstar Ja Morant was limited to nine games, big trade acquisition and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to 20 games, second-leading scorer Desmond Bane to 42 games, and another former Defensive Player of the Year in big man Jaren Jackson Jr. to 66 games. Jackson will not play Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, which could mean more minutes for the rookie Zach Edey or another Canadian in Brandon Clarke, who was limited to only six games a year ago. Memphis set an NBA record in 2023-24 with 33 different Grizzlies appearing in a game. The team used 23 different starters, also a single-season league record. One bright spot was the play of rookie forward GG Jackson, but he will miss the first two months or so due to a broken foot. The under is 5-2 in Memphis’ past seven games.
Utah Jazz
Utah coach Will Hardy likely enters on a bit of a hot seat as the team has had losing records in both his seasons, but it was also a planned rebuild. The Jazz had a boatload of good trade offers this offseason for their best player, All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, but opted to sign him long term instead. Most thought the Jazz did well in the 2024 draft by selecting Colorado’s Cody Williams at No. 10 overall. USC’s Isaiah Collier at No. 29 and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski at No. 32 – he was not expected to slip into Round 2. I’d still expect Utah to be active ahead of this season’s trade deadline as veterans like Jordan Clarkson (one of the NBA’s best Sixth Men), Collin Sexton and John Collins really have no place on this team and would all help contenders. The Jazz will be a good offensive team again, but they can’t stop anyone and ranked last in defensive rating a season ago at 119.6 points allowed per 100 possessions. Utah is 1-7 SU in its past eight at home. It was 2-1 vs. Memphis last season and won the lone game in Salt Lake City.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Grizzlies vs. Jazz?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 27 Aug 2:53pm | UTA | -2.5 -110 | O +228.5 -110 |
Closing 27 Aug 2:53pm | UTA | -2.5 -110 | O +242.5 -125 |
- Regular Season
Grizzlies Team Leaders
Points |
23.02 |
Assists |
7.44 |
Rebounds |
7.6 |
FG% |
61.1 |
Steals |
1.31 |
Blocks |
1.63 |
Points |
19.56 |
Assists |
5.95 |
Rebounds |
11.81 |
FG% |
71.8 |
Steals |
1.67 |
Blocks |
2.43 |
- Regular Season
Jazz Team Leaders
Points |
23.02 |
Assists |
7.44 |
Rebounds |
7.6 |
FG% |
61.1 |
Steals |
1.31 |
Blocks |
1.63 |
Points |
19.56 |
Assists |
5.95 |
Rebounds |
11.81 |
FG% |
71.8 |
Steals |
1.67 |
Blocks |
2.43 |
Injuries
Ja Morant (PG)
Vince Williams Jr. (SG)
Marvin Bagley III (PF)
John Konchar (SG)
Desmond Bane (SG)
Brandon Clarke (PF)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF)
Ja Morant (PG)
Ja Morant (PG)
Santi Aldama (PF)
Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Walker Kessler (C)
Walker Kessler (C)
Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Collin Sexton (PG)
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)
Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Walker Kessler (C)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ja Morant (PG) | Ques Feb 20 | Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Morant is bothered by a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be in the lineup on Thursday, February 20th versus the Pacers. |
|||||
Vince Williams Jr. (SG) | Ques Feb 20 | Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Williams Jr. is hampered by a knee injury, and his status for the clash against the Pacers on Thursday, February 20th is unclear. |
|||||
Marvin Bagley III (PF) | Ques Feb 20 | Knee - 08 / 02 / 25 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
Bagley III is laid up with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will kit up against the Pacers on Thursday, February 20th. |
|||||
John Konchar (SG) | Ques Wed | Shoulder - 04 / 02 / 25 | 4-2 | 3-3 | + - |
Konchar is bothered by a shoulder soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Raptors on Wednesday. |
|||||
Desmond Bane (SG) | Ques Sat | Ankle - 03 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 4-3 | + - |
Bane is dealing with an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Thunder on Saturday. |
|||||
Brandon Clarke (PF) | Ques Wed | Back - 03 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 4-3 | + - |
Clarke is managing back soreness, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Raptors on Wednesday. |
|||||
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF) | Ques Mon | Face - 03 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 4-3 | + - |
Jackson Jr. left the game with a face injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will be available against the Spurs on Monday. |
|||||
Ja Morant (PG) | Ques Mon | Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 25 | 4-4 | 5-3 | + - |
Morant is dealing with right shoulder soreness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Spurs on Monday. |
|||||
Ja Morant (PG) | Prob Sat | Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 | 7-4 | 7-4 | + - |
Morant is ailing with an illness, but he is projected to suit up against the Jazz on Saturday. |
|||||
Santi Aldama (PF) | Ques Mon | Illness - 23 / 01 / 25 | 7-5 | 7-5 | + - |
Aldama missed the last two games due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Knicks on Monday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jordan Clarkson (PG) | Ques Feb 21 | Foot - 13 / 02 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is yet to be known if he will suit up against the Thunder on Friday, February 21st. |
|||||
Walker Kessler (C) | Ques Feb 21 | Thumb - 13 / 02 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Kessler is bothered by a left thumb sprain, and it is uncertain if he will feature against the Thunder on Friday, February 21st. |
|||||
Walker Kessler (C) | Ques Mon | Shoulder - 08 / 02 / 25 | 2-3 | 5-0 | + - |
Kessler is nursing a left shoulder contusion, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Lakers on Monday. |
|||||
Lauri Markkanen (PF) | Ques Mon | Back - 08 / 02 / 25 | 2-3 | 5-0 | + - |
Markkanen is battling a lower back injury, and it is yet to be seen if he will face the Lakers on Monday. |
|||||
Jordan Clarkson (PG) | Ques Sat | Foot - 06 / 02 / 25 | 3-3 | 5-1 | + - |
Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Clippers on Saturday. |
|||||
Lauri Markkanen (PF) | Prob Fri | Back - 04 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 5-2 | + - |
Markkanen is nursing with a back injury, and he is expected to dress against the Suns on Friday. |
|||||
Collin Sexton (PG) | Out indefinitely | Ankle - 04 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 5-2 | + - |
Sexton has been sidelined due to an ankle injury, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date. |
|||||
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG) | Ques Fri | Hamstring - 02 / 02 / 25 | 4-3 | 5-2 | + - |
Hood-Schifino is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will be available against the Suns on Friday. |
|||||
Jordan Clarkson (PG) | Ques Thurs | Foot - 28 / 01 / 25 | 4-7 | 6-5 | + - |
Clarkson is battling with a foot injury, and it is unknown if he will play Thursday's matchup against Timberwolves. |
|||||
Walker Kessler (C) | Ques Thur | Shoulder - 27 / 01 / 25 | 4-7 | 6-5 | + - |
Kessler is nursing a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will play Thursday's game against the Timberwolves. |
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 27 Aug 2:53pm UTA -2.5 -110 O +228.5 -110 Closing 27 Aug 2:53pm UTA -2.5 -110 O +242.5 -125 -
- Regular Season
Grizzlies Team Leaders
Points 23.02
Assists 7.44
Rebounds 7.6
FG% 61.1
Steals 1.31
Blocks 1.63
Points 19.56
Assists 5.95
Rebounds 11.81
FG% 71.8
Steals 1.67
Blocks 2.43
-
- Regular Season
Jazz Team Leaders
Points 23.02
Assists 7.44
Rebounds 7.6
FG% 61.1
Steals 1.31
Blocks 1.63
Points 19.56
Assists 5.95
Rebounds 11.81
FG% 71.8
Steals 1.67
Blocks 2.43
-
Injuries
Ja Morant (PG)
Ques Feb 20 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25Vince Williams Jr. (SG)
Ques Feb 20 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25Marvin Bagley III (PF)
Ques Feb 20 Knee - 08 / 02 / 25John Konchar (SG)
Ques Wed Shoulder - 04 / 02 / 25Desmond Bane (SG)
Ques Sat Ankle - 03 / 02 / 25Brandon Clarke (PF)
Ques Wed Back - 03 / 02 / 25Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF)
Ques Mon Face - 03 / 02 / 25Ja Morant (PG)
Ques Mon Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 25Ja Morant (PG)
Prob Sat Illness - 24 / 01 / 25Santi Aldama (PF)
Ques Mon Illness - 23 / 01 / 25Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Ques Feb 21 Foot - 13 / 02 / 25Walker Kessler (C)
Ques Feb 21 Thumb - 13 / 02 / 25Walker Kessler (C)
Ques Mon Shoulder - 08 / 02 / 25Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Ques Mon Back - 08 / 02 / 25Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Ques Sat Foot - 06 / 02 / 25Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Prob Fri Back - 04 / 02 / 25Collin Sexton (PG)
Out indefinitely Ankle - 04 / 02 / 25Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG)
Ques Fri Hamstring - 02 / 02 / 25Jordan Clarkson (PG)
Ques Thurs Foot - 28 / 01 / 25Walker Kessler (C)
Ques Thur Shoulder - 27 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Ja Morant (PG) Ques Feb 20 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 1-2 1-2 + - Morant is bothered by a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be in the lineup on Thursday, February 20th versus the Pacers.
Vince Williams Jr. (SG) Ques Feb 20 Knee - 12 / 02 / 25 1-2 1-2 + - Williams Jr. is hampered by a knee injury, and his status for the clash against the Pacers on Thursday, February 20th is unclear.
Marvin Bagley III (PF) Ques Feb 20 Knee - 08 / 02 / 25 2-2 2-2 + - Bagley III is laid up with a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will kit up against the Pacers on Thursday, February 20th.
John Konchar (SG) Ques Wed Shoulder - 04 / 02 / 25 4-2 3-3 + - Konchar is bothered by a shoulder soreness, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Desmond Bane (SG) Ques Sat Ankle - 03 / 02 / 25 4-3 4-3 + - Bane is dealing with an ankle injury, and it remains to be seen if he will suit up against the Thunder on Saturday.
Brandon Clarke (PF) Ques Wed Back - 03 / 02 / 25 4-3 4-3 + - Clarke is managing back soreness, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (PF) Ques Mon Face - 03 / 02 / 25 4-3 4-3 + - Jackson Jr. left the game with a face injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will be available against the Spurs on Monday.
Ja Morant (PG) Ques Mon Shoulder - 30 / 01 / 25 4-4 5-3 + - Morant is dealing with right shoulder soreness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Spurs on Monday.
Ja Morant (PG) Prob Sat Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 7-4 7-4 + - Morant is ailing with an illness, but he is projected to suit up against the Jazz on Saturday.
Santi Aldama (PF) Ques Mon Illness - 23 / 01 / 25 7-5 7-5 + - Aldama missed the last two games due to an illness, and it is unknown if he will play against the Knicks on Monday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jordan Clarkson (PG) Ques Feb 21 Foot - 13 / 02 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is yet to be known if he will suit up against the Thunder on Friday, February 21st.
Walker Kessler (C) Ques Feb 21 Thumb - 13 / 02 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Kessler is bothered by a left thumb sprain, and it is uncertain if he will feature against the Thunder on Friday, February 21st.
Walker Kessler (C) Ques Mon Shoulder - 08 / 02 / 25 2-3 5-0 + - Kessler is nursing a left shoulder contusion, and it is unknown if he will participate against the Lakers on Monday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF) Ques Mon Back - 08 / 02 / 25 2-3 5-0 + - Markkanen is battling a lower back injury, and it is yet to be seen if he will face the Lakers on Monday.
Jordan Clarkson (PG) Ques Sat Foot - 06 / 02 / 25 3-3 5-1 + - Clarkson is dealing with a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will be available against the Clippers on Saturday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF) Prob Fri Back - 04 / 02 / 25 4-3 5-2 + - Markkanen is nursing with a back injury, and he is expected to dress against the Suns on Friday.
Collin Sexton (PG) Out indefinitely Ankle - 04 / 02 / 25 4-3 5-2 + - Sexton has been sidelined due to an ankle injury, and team officials have yet to provide an exact return date.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (PG) Ques Fri Hamstring - 02 / 02 / 25 4-3 5-2 + - Hood-Schifino is dealing with a hamstring injury, and it has yet to be determined if he will be available against the Suns on Friday.
Jordan Clarkson (PG) Ques Thurs Foot - 28 / 01 / 25 4-7 6-5 + - Clarkson is battling with a foot injury, and it is unknown if he will play Thursday's matchup against Timberwolves.
Walker Kessler (C) Ques Thur Shoulder - 27 / 01 / 25 4-7 6-5 + - Kessler is nursing a shoulder injury, and it is uncertain if he will play Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.