Currently sitting one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, the Utah Jazz must win their season finale against the Memphis Grizzlies in order to have any chance at getting into the postseason.
The Jazz and Grizzlies will tip off tonight at 8pm, EDT with the game airing live on ESPN TV.
While Utah (43-38) tips off at 8pm, the Los Angeles Lakers will play later Wednesday evening in a battle with the Houston Rockets. If the Jazz win and the Lakers go down, Utah would become the eighth-seed in the Western Conference by virtue of winning the season series against the Lakers, 2-1.
Winners in 9 of their last 11 games, Utah had a tough time in their last visit to Memphis. A 103-94 loss back in November was the fifth loss in Utah's last six trips to the FedEx Forum.
"The only thing we can worry about is what we can control, going out there and trying to take care of the game, and trying to win, and just leave the rest up to the Lakers, I guess," Jazz center Al Jefferson told NBA reporters. Jefferson will need to continue his torrid pace as he's scored a total of 62 points in his last 2 games, both Jazz victories.
While Jefferson has helped keep the Jazz in the mix for the final playoff spot, Paul Millsap and Gordon Hayward have provided nice balance offensively, both averaging over 14 points per game this season. Utah will need their best offensive performance of the season tonight against the loaded Memphis Grizzlies (55-26).
Led by double-double machine Zach Randolph, who averages over 15 points and 11 rebounds per game, Memphis has a lot to play for tonight as well.
Currently percentage points behind the L.A. Clippers for the right to host a first round playoff series with the Clippers, a Memphis win coupled with an L.A. loss to the Sacramento Kings means the Memphis and Clippers first round playoff series would be played in Memphis.
The good news for the Memphis Grizzlies is that no matter what happens tonight at home against the Jazz, they're headed to the playoffs. The Utah Jazz on the other hand need to defeat the Grizzlies and then hope for a Lakers loss later in the evening.
Be sure to catch what promises to be a fun night of basketball in the Western Conference, as the Utah Jazz travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies. Live coverage on begins at 8 p.m., EDT, on ESPN television.
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