Memphis Grizzlies (4-0) beat Utah Jazz (1-3) 110-105 on the road on Monday, October 26.
The game, quarter by quarter
The Grizzlies had the better start, winning the first 30-21 to lead by 9 after one. The Jazz cut into the deficit with a 31-28 second quarter, though the Grizzlies still led by 6 at halftime.
The Grizzlies won the third 31-24 to create some separation, taking a 13-point lead into the fourth. The Jazz took the fourth 29-21; the Grizzlies held on for a 110-105 regulation win.
What decided it
The Grizzlies got more from their shots, finishing at 52.9% effective field-goal shooting compared with 46.7% for the Jazz. The Grizzlies made 23.5 free throws per 100 field-goal attempts, compared with 20.7 for the Jazz. In a 5-point game, that shooting gap supplied the clearest edge.
The Jazz did win one battle, second chances: ORB% of 28% against 14.6%. The Grizzlies made up for it elsewhere.
At roughly 101 possessions per team, the Grizzlies produced 108.5 points per 100 possessions to 103.6 for the Jazz.
Who made the difference
Airious Bailey was the game's biggest individual force for UTA: 17 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast, 3 blk on 6-10 shooting. His Game Score of 19.4 led everyone. His team was +11 with him on the floor.
Cedric Coward led the Grizzlies with 16 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast on 6-12 shooting, good for a 12.8 Game Score.
Airious Bailey (17 pts, 10 reb, 3 ast) and Cedric Coward (16 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast) each recorded a double-double.
What it means
The pre-game Win Meter had it close to a coin flip, at about 43% for the Grizzlies.
Across the last 9 meetings in our records, Memphis Grizzlies lead 7-2.
The Grizzlies are now 4-0, and the Jazz are 1-3. The Grizzlies last five before this game: L-L-W-W-W.
Written automatically by Tip Off Live software from box score data. Ratings and probabilities are our own model estimates.