Memphis Grizzlies: 3 keys to victory against the Utah Jazz

The Memphis Grizzlies cannot allow an excessive amount of 3-pointers

We’ve seen it time-and-time again from this Grizzlies team — really bad 3-point defense. In all likelihood, this part of a ripple effect from Jaren Jackson Jr.’s absence. Regardless, it’s hard to watch and something that could allow things to get ugly fast against the Utah Jazz.

There isn’t a team in the league that makes more 3-pointers per game that the Jazz, so the Grizzlies cannot allow this team to catch fire from long range.

It starts with the team’s perimeter defense. If Ja Morant keeps his energy up, Grayson Allen stays disciplined, and Dillon Brooks can play like he usually does, this team will be in good shape. That said, those things rarely align on any given night for this team.

Fortunately, the 3-point defense issues seem solvable, or at least treatable. A large portion of the 3-pointers allowed come from the Grizzlies playing undisciplined defense. We’ve seen unnecessary switches and generally lazy perimeter defense lead to a clean look.

The Grizzlies will have to stay focused for 48 minutes and in an ideal world, give the Jazz zero good looks from the perimeter.

Obviously, this is a tall task, but that’s the goal that Memphis has to set for themselves. If the Grizzlies can keep this team under their season average of 17 3-pointers per game, they could be in good shape to get a win.