The Utah Jazz | as seen by Basketball John

Although it ended in a loss, last year’s January OT game against the Grizzlies was arguably the best of the regular season. The Grizzlies shot out of their mind from three-point land. Okur tried to balance that out, going 5-7 from behind the line. Carlos Boozer had a then career high of 39 points and Deron had his career high in assists with 21.

Despite those number and Memo’s clutch shooting, the ESA was silenced when Eddie Jones got the ball after Memo’s tying shot and drained the game-winner at the buzzer. The Jazz couldn’t make a free-throw and it cost them the game. It was one of the only eight road wins for the season for the Grizz. The Jazz did take the season series 3-1 though, with the average margin of victory about 10 points.

So what’s on tap for this game? Memphis loss Atkins who scored 29 in last year’s loss. But Mike Miller and Pau Gasol have always given the Jazz fits. We may be able to slow down Miller a bit now that Brewer will likely guarding him instead of Fisher. Boozer still hasn’t become a good defensive player. And with Utah’s defensive inside presence lacking, AK aside, Gasol will probably put up good numbers again. Gay is an interesting matchup for AK. His inside-outside game will keep Andrei moving all night. And while Damon Stoudemire had been starting, he’ll be splitting time with Lowry. Deron Williams should have the advantage over both of them. But when Hart relieves Deron, all bets are off here.

New coach Iavaroni could go small. But the Jazz showed against the Cavs that a lineup of Williams, Brewer, AK, Boozer, and Millsap can run with smaller lineups.

What we need for the win:

• Continue to out-rebound the Grizz. In each of the three wins last year against Memphis, the Jazz beat them handily in this stat.
• Defend the three. Obvious, but they’re going to jack them up. This depends a lot on how good our bigs play on defense. If the Jazz have to double Pau or if Gay can drive to the hoop and kick it out, they’re in trouble.
• The other stat the Jazz dominated in last year against the Grizzlies was assists. Williams could have a big game both scoring and passing.
• And finally, we have to find a way to keep Hart on the bench.

Other notes:

• Shouldn’t we swap nicknames? We already have a Grizzly for a mascot and there’s a lot more jazz in Memphis than Utah. Utah Grizzlies and Memphis Jazz. Plus, the team colors are similar enough we could just swap unis.
• 3shadesofblue’s interview with their GM Chris Wallace inspired The Daily Dimes’s season preview bit about what questions you would ask your GM.
• Apparently, this game will be a call-your-own-fouls game as no ref would accept the assignment.

3ShadesofBlue has their preview up. They’re way off on this one though,

Ronnie Brewer, the 2nd yr player from Arkansas, is struggling early in the season replacing Derek Fisher.

Only the blogmaster doesn’t agree. Here’s the link: http://3shadesofblue.blogspot.com/2007/11/memphis-at-utah-111007.html

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