Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies (ESPN)
The Jazz head to Memphis in the first half of ESPN’s Saturday double-header at FedEx Forum (all times AEST).
Utah are currently on the top of the Northwest Division on the back of four-straight wins over Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Golden State and Brooklyn. They are the last remaining Western Conference side undefeated at home.
The Jazz’s 99.7 defensive rating ranks second in the league, with only the Lakers ahead of them. After a slow start to the season, Mike Conley is starting to settle in at his new club, averaging 20 points on 46 per cent shooting, 3.3 three-pointers and five assists over the last week.
For Memphis, Taylor Jenkins’ young side has been competitive at 4-7 and coming off road wins against San Antonio and Charlotte. Rookie Ja Morant was the hero in the Hornets win, hitting the game-winning layup to cap off an impressive performance, tallying 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting and dishing 11 assists.
The Grizzlies’ defence has been poor, with a defensive rating of 111.3 (ranked third in the league) resulting in giving up 118.8 points a night. Jaren Jackson Jr. is still learning his craft in the defensive paint and struggling to stay out of foul trouble.
Tip: Utah to win @ $1.35
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
The Celtics and Warriors go head to head at the Chase Centre to cap off ESPN’s double-header.
Boston surprisingly hold the best record in the league at 9-1 to sit on top of the Eastern Conference standings on the back of nine-straight wins. The Celtics are getting it done at home and on the road, averaging 116.1 points and giving up just 106.9 points down the other end.
Brad Stevens is getting a consistent spread of production, led by Kemba Walker. The star recruit is averaging 25 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists while shooting 44.4 per cent from beyond the arc. Gordon Hayward was finally starting to look like himself again but will be sidelined for the next six weeks after undergoing hand surgery.
There isn’t much to like about the Warriors at the moment other than the recent returns of D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green. The Dubs sit dead last in the West at 2-10 on the back of five-straight losses and are really struggling to incorporate so many new pieces and young players. Maybe Steph Curry couldn’t even save this team.
Their only home win this season was over an underwhelming Blazers outfit in a game where rookie Eric Paschall popped off for 34 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the field and 8-of-8 from the free-throw line.
D’Angelo Russell (averaging 34 points and seven assists since returning from injury) has been phenomenal offensively but can only do so much.
Tip: Boston to win @ $1.30.
Sacramento Kings at LA Lakers
The Kings face the Lakers at Staples Centre to round off the NBA’s Saturday card.
After a slow start to the season Sacramento are starting to get it together, having won four of their last five, including two in a row. They will be without D’Aaron Fox for an extended period after he suffered an ankle sprain in a major blow for a team already missing Marvin Bagley.
Expect to see more from Buddy Hield and Harrison Barnes, while Bogdan Bogdanovic will take on a much bigger role. The Serbian is coming a big performance in their win over Portland, recording 25 points, eight assists and four steals.
The Lakers are rolling along nicely at 9-2 to sit on top of the West. They are coming off wins over Phoenix and Golden State on a back-to-back set, the latter coming without Anthony Davis (ribs, shoulder).
LeBron James is right up there in the MVP discussion, averaging 23.9 points, eight rebounds and a league-high 11.1 assists, the only player in the league going at over 10 dimes a game.
Tip: LA to win @ $1.27.
