Preview: Grizzlies, Jazz Meet in Season Finale Between Struggling Teams

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — Two teams at the bottom of the NBA standings will conclude their difficult seasons when the Memphis Grizzlies visit the Utah Jazz on Friday night at Delta Center.

The Grizzlies (25-54) and Jazz (21-59) have combined for 113 losses this season. Memphis has dropped eight of its last 10 games, while Utah has lost nine of 10. Both teams are playing for pride and evaluation in their final game before the offseason.

A bright spot for Memphis has been the recent surge of forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper. He is averaging 16.6 points over his last 10 games, including a 31-point, 7-rebound performance against Houston on March 27 and 24 points in just 19 minutes in Monday’s 142-126 loss to Cleveland.

Utah will counter with point guard Kennedy Chandler, who is coming off a season-high 31 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists in a 156-137 loss to New Orleans on Tuesday. Chandler has averaged 14.0 points and 7.1 assists over his last 10 contests.

The season series favors Memphis, which has won two of the three meetings. The Grizzlies won the most recent matchup 123-114 at home on Feb. 20. In the only previous game in Salt Lake City this season, Memphis earned a 137-128 victory on Dec. 23.

Both teams have struggled defensively, ranking near the bottom of the league in defensive rating. Memphis has allowed an average of 128.4 points over its last five games, while Utah has surrendered 135.6 per game in that same span, setting the stage for a potentially high-scoring finale.

Following Friday’s game, Memphis will travel to face the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Utah will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday to close its schedule.