Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Wednesday night brings the Utah Jazz to FedExForum for a matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET. Utah is hoping for a better year after finishing 22-60 last season, which left the Jazz last in the Western Conference and out of the playoffs. Memphis also missed the postseason, finishing among the bottom five teams in the West. Both clubs went 3-1 in the preseason. The Jazz are looking for better defense, while the Grizzlies will have a different look after making several roster changes. Build your bankroll with our free NBA picks.
Utah Jazz Hope to Improve Defensively
The Jazz could score last season. Keeping the other team from scoring was where things went wrong. Utah put up 117.6 points per game, ninth in the league, yet opponents averaged 126.0. Teams had little trouble finding space beyond the arc. Nearly half their shots against Utah came from three, and 59% of those attempts were wide open. The Jazz surrendered 15.3 made threes a night. Will Hardy knows that can't continue. He'll be hoping the offseason additions can help close those gaps.
Lauri Markkanen is still a player Utah will count on, alongside Keyonte George and Jaren Jackson Jr. Jackson knows Memphis well, having come over in a trade, although knee surgery limited him to three games with the Jazz. Rookie Darryn Peterson arrives as the second overall draft pick. Ace Bailey could help off the bench; he averaged 16.2 points and 4.9 rebounds from January onward. Utah also added Josh Green, Josh Okogie and Jaxson Hayes. George signed a five-year extension, while Isaiah Collier brings passing ability.
Injuries: Jusuf Nurkic is out with a foot injury. Blake Hinson, Trey Alexander and Kyle Filipowski are game-time decisions.
Memphis Grizzlies Begin a New Era
There will be unfamiliar faces in familiar roles for Memphis. Ja Morant is now in Portland, and Jackson will be wearing a Utah jersey when he returns to FedExForum. Instead of asking the old core to carry the team, the Grizzlies are giving younger players a chance to take over. Cameron Boozer, the third pick in the draft, should have a major role right away. It's a fresh start, but one that may come with growing pains.
Cedric Coward gave Memphis something to work with during his rookie year. He earned All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 13.6 points and nearly five rebounds. The Grizzlies also want more from Zach Edey, whose ankle problems limited him to 11 games last season. Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart arrived to give the frontcourt different options, although Stewart is injured. Ty Jerome could take on a larger job at guard. He produced 31.4 points per 36 minutes last season, but did so in only 15 games.
Injuries: Isaiah Stewart is out with an ankle injury. Jerami Grant, GG Jackson and Micah Peavy are game-time decisions.
Key To The Game
Utah needs to stop giving opponents open three-point looks. Memphis, meanwhile, has a new lineup still learning to play together. Jackson's return to FedExForum adds another angle. The Jazz have experienced scorers, but Boozer and Coward will be eager to make a strong start.
Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies Pick
- Utah Jazz -1.5
Utah had trouble getting stops last season, but Markkanen and George give the Jazz experienced scoring options. Jackson should also help defensively when he faces his former team. Memphis is turning to Boozer and Coward after major roster changes, and that group may need time to settle in. The Grizzlies have talent, but Utah looks better prepared for the opener. The Jazz should cover the 1.5-point spread on Wednesday night.
Utah Jazz vs Memphis Grizzlies Over/Under Pick
- Under 242.5
Utah's games featured plenty of scoring last season, with the Jazz averaging 117.6 points and allowing 126.0. Memphis could take advantage of those defensive problems, but the Grizzlies are starting over with a young lineup. Boozer is making his NBA debut, and the new group hasn't had time to build chemistry. The Jazz also added defensive help. With the total set at 242.5, the under is the more appealing pick.