The Utah Jazz (8-15) host the Memphis Grizzlies (11-13) in a pivotal Northwest-Southwest Division showdown at the Delta Center, where both teams vie for positioning in the crowded Western Conference playoff picture. Utah, clinging to the 12th seed, desperately needs a win to halt a three-game slide, leaning on Lauri Markkanen’s scoring prowess and Walker Kessler’s rim protection amid backcourt injuries. Memphis, seventh in the West, counters with Ja Morant’s explosive return from suspension and Jaren Jackson Jr.’s two-way dominance, aiming to extend a mini-resurgence after a shaky start. This matchup evokes gritty, physical play—expect a battle in the paint and transition, with the Grizzlies’ athleticism testing the Jazz’s home resilience in a projected 112-107 Memphis victory.
Venue and Game Details
Location: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (capacity: 18,306). The Jazz’s high-altitude fortress has been a mixed bag this season (5-6 home), but the thin air often fatigues road teams, boosting Utah’s pace-adjusted efficiency by +4.2 points at home.
Tipoff: 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. MT).
Broadcast: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast (Grizzlies regional), KJZZ (Jazz regional) (TV); NBA League Pass (streaming). Radio: Jazz Radio Network (1280 The Zone) and Grizzlies Radio Network (92.5 FM The X).
Injury Report
Utah’s guard rotation remains thin without Collin Sexton, while Memphis manages Desus Ujiri’s rookie tweaks. Updates as of December 11, 2025 (6 p.m. ET report)—finals pending; no load management expected for stars.
Utah Jazz (8-15)
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Collin Sexton | PG | Out | Right Knee; Soreness | Missed last five; secondary creator (16.2 PPG)—est. return Dec 18. |
| Isaiah Collier | PG | Out | Right Foot; Stress Reaction | Rookie sidelined three games; backup ball-handler impacts depth. |
| Taylor Hendricks | SF | Questionable | Left Ankle; Sprain | Rotational wing; limited practice, adds length if cleared (1.1 BPG). |
| Jason Preston | PG | Probable | Illness | Scored 8 off bench last game; full go after missing shootaround. |
Memphis Grizzlies (11-13)
| Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Jaylen Wells | SF | Out | Left Wrist; Sprain | Sixth straight absence; rookie shooter (34% 3PT) thins perimeter. |
| Brandon Clarke | PF | Out | Right Achilles; Recovery | Long-term rehab; frontcourt depth hit (8.4 PPG pre-injury). |
| Desus Ujiri | SF | Questionable | Right Quad; Tightness | Rookie wing; GTD after minor tweak vs. NOP, potential spot minutes. |
| GG Jackson | SF | Probable | Left Shoulder; Contusion | Returned with 12 PTS last game; no limitations projected. |
Key Player Matchups
Memphis’ top-10 defense (110.8 DRtg) clashes with Utah’s 18th-ranked offense, but the Jazz’s paint scoring (52.4/gm) tests the Grizzlies’ switching. These duels could dictate rhythm in a game prone to fouls (avg. 44 calls last 5 H2H).
Jazz PF Lauri Markkanen vs. Grizzlies PF Jaren Jackson Jr.: Markkanen (24.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG last 10) stretches floors with 38% 3PT; Jackson (22.3 PPG, 2.4 BPG) erases shots (team-high 14% block rate)—Markkanen’s post-ups exploit if Jackson fouls out (3.1 PF/gm).
Jazz C Walker Kessler vs. Grizzlies C Jaren Jackson Jr. (backup role): Kessler (11.4 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 2.8 BPG) owns the glass at home (+6.2 OREB); Jackson shifts to center sans Adams, but his mobility yields 1.2 offensive boards/gm to bigs—key for Utah’s second-chance points.
Grizzlies PG Ja Morant vs. Jazz PG Keyonte George: Morant (26.8 PPG, 8.1 APG post-suspension) dazzles in transition (team 16.2 fast-break PPG); George (14.5 PPG) harasses with length (1.0 SPG), but Utah’s 25th-ranked turnover D invites Morant’s chaos (2.1 TO but +15 net).
Jazz SG Jordan Clarkson vs. Grizzlies SG Desmond Bane: Clarkson (16.8 PPG, 35% 3PT) isos effectively; Bane (21.2 PPG, 40% 3PT) clamps guards (holds to 41% FG)—Memphis’ 12th-ranked perimeter D tests Clarkson’s volume (18 FGA/gm).
Matchups favor Memphis’ versatility, but Utah’s home altitude could wear down the Grizzlies’ legs.
Team Records and Recent Form
Utah scrapes for play-in hopes, while Memphis stabilizes after Morant’s return. Jazz face the 15th-toughest schedule; Grizzlies the 9th.
| Team | Record | Conf. Record | Streak | Division Rank |
| Utah Jazz | 8-15 | 5-9 | L3 | 4th Northwest |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 11-13 | 8-7 | W2 | 3rd Southwest |
Recent Form (Last 5 Games)
Utah: 1-4. Loss: 115-110 @ DEN (Dec 10, Markkanen 28 PTS in defeat), 108-102 vs. POR (Dec 8, Kessler 15 REB), 120-112 @ LAL (Dec 5), 118-105 vs. GSW (Dec 3). Win: 112-109 @ SAC (Dec 1). Offense: 109.6 PPG; Defense: 114.2 allowed. Struggles on road (2-8).
Memphis: 3-2. Wins: 118-112 vs. NOP (Dec 9, Morant 32 PTS), 105-98 @ DAL (Dec 7, Jackson 25-10), 114-109 vs. HOU (Dec 4). Losses: 122-118 @ OKC (Dec 2), 110-107 vs. MIN (Nov 30). Offense: 114.4 PPG; Defense: 111.8 allowed. Morant’s insertion boosts net +6.2.
Grizzlies’ surge meets Jazz’s home grit.
Series History
Memphis edges this 40-year rivalry, winning 6 of the last 10 amid Utah’s rebuild. Games average 223.6 total points, with unders 7-3 last 10. Grizzlies have taken the last three meetings.
| All-Time Record | Grizzlies Wins | Jazz Wins | Last 10 (2016-2025) |
| Grizzlies 68-62 | 68 | 62 | Grizzlies 6-4 |
Notable: Grizzlies’ 121-113 win (Mar 2025); Jazz’ 124-111 upset (Nov 2024). Road teams 5-5 SU last 10; Grizzlies 7-3 ATS as fave.
Betting Trends
Jazz 10-12-1 ATS (6-4 home); Grizzlies 9-14 ATS (4-7 road). Series: Unders 7-3 last 10; dogs cover 60%.
Game Odds
Utah Jazz 243.5
Memphis Grizzlies – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 11, 2025
